So finally the 2007 Carson City AYSO fall season starts. With about 800 kids registered this season, volunteers have been busy to the max.
As Eric Ingbar our Regional Commissioner put it "It is payday" for all of the board members that have put in countless hours to insure that the program happens.
In my opinion the first day went very well. Sure we had some referees not showing up and others that were thrown into the game without really knowing much about the game, but overall it was great. That is what a "recreational" league is all about, parents get to learn to coach and to referee, at the same time the kids, get to learn how to play and have some fun.
From our family's perspective, all of us had fun, even our four children who had to move from field to field to watch their siblings play. Between my wife and I, we coach 4 teams in the U8 Girls, U10 Boys, U12 Girls and U14 Girls divisions. Luckily our children understand that by us doing all this work, we help the community. By our family coaching around 43 kids all together we can teach kids that might not get the opportunity to play otherwise because of the lack of volunteer coaches in some divisions. We also get to spend the day together and that is priceless.
I am personally looking forward to the rest of this season. Last year I lost 10 pounds during the two months I spent coaching, refereeing and running around on the fields. With a little luck I should be able to loose at least 6 to 8 pounds more this season. Instead of 318.5 pounds I'll be at around 310 pounds!
A special point this year for me was being able to help out with one of the U6 boys teams who were left without a coach one week prior to start of the season. My wife and I were able to step in and help two of the parents that stepped up to help coach the team. We ran two practices for them and I can not describe to you how much fun it was working with 5 year olds!
I believe this age is one of the most fun, because as an adult, you get to coach and make a fool of yourself to relate to the kids. We played couple of games where Sponge Bob was involved as well as Darth Vader. I tell you, you would have laughed along with the rest of us at the fun those kids were having.
To those parents that stepped up to run the U6 boys team "The Scorpions" THANK YOU! You are what makes the program run.
Till my next article at John's Place.
John Chavez
www.CarsonSoccer.com
