We started Paiton playing soccer when she was 5. She started in the city recreational soccer and she loved it. She has always been super athletic and loves to play. Not only does she love it, she is very good at it. She stills plays every sport we can handle with our schedule. She plays softball, basketball, and soccer. She'd love to add tennis, volleyball, and karate but we just can't find the time.
When she was 8 we took her to a competition soccer team try-out. I wasn't sure she was good enough or if she'd make the team. I didn't even tell her it was try-outs. I knew she was a good player and it was time to nurture the talent. My exact words were, "Let's go see if we want to be part of this soccer club." By the end of the first night she had picked up on what was happening and she said, "It's ok. It is kind of like a job interview, right?" That was the day my worries began. Is this too much? Is this too competitive? Is she too little to worry about making the team, winning a game, letting her team down?, etc. I wasn't surprised when I got a call from the coach that night offering Paiton a spot on his team.I agonized over it and had several conversations with the coach about his style and thoughts about soccer. Obviously, we took the leap and joined the team.
Coach Alex is amazing. He has taught these girls so many great values and I'm so thankful for him. He has taught them to play hard and especially play fair. He has taught them the more they practice the better they will be. He has taught them how fun it is to win, and also how to lose gracefully. He has taught them this is a team sport and not an individual sport, they win and lose together. The girls are so supportive of each other. At the end of every game, you hear all of them tell each other how great they were. "Good game, Paiton", "Nice Save, Paiton", etc, etc, etc. I can only thank the coach for teaching them to be amazing girls.
Fast forward about 18 months and we have an amazing team. A team that won the Utah County U9 Championship. We've won countless games, scored several hundred goals, and been champions of several tournaments. This team is truly amazing.
Last weekend, we were playing a tournament and it was the semi-finals game. The end of the game came and they were tied. It was a high-pressure game and everyone was pretty ramped up (even the parents). When she learned they had to go into overtime, she started crying, the pressure had caught up to her. I immediately started doubting my decisions. I gave her a pep talk, her coach gave her a pep talk, and the team rallied around her. They went into overtime and she shined. Our team scored, Paiton blocked a few goals, and they won the game. The entire team piled on top of her and congratulated her on a great game. Oh, the lessons she learned during that game. She didn't give up, even with all of the pressure, the confidence of her team, the feel of winning, and the fear of losing.
On one hand I think it is too much for a 9 year old. She biggest worry should be whether or not her bike tire is flat. :) I worry that this is too much pressure for her. On the other hand, she is learning great lessons and I believe it will help build her character as an adult. I hope!
What gives me comfort right now is she loves it. I never have to force her to practice, or drag her to games. At least once a day she grabs her soccer ball and escapes outside to have some fun. She loves the sport, she loves her coach, and she loves her team. I guess that is good enough for now.
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