Mr. Dewazien,
In the June 1999 issue of Soccer California you printed a letter from Mr. Gary Brett Beeler of which I would like to address. In it he questions the Mission of Youth Soccer. But all I got from his letter is his dissatisfaction with how his club is run and how it interferes with his personal schedule. No wonder he has a hard time realizing why our children should continue to play soccer. Every statement was centered around an individualistic desire for himself, not for the benefit of the child. He needs to reevaluate why he is coaching. To volunteer as a coach is to do so unconditionally. Most of us do it for the love of the game and the opportunity to see our children develop and succeed.
In response to one practice a week, many knowledgeable coaches in any sport know that skill development of players and teams depend on quality practices . Can your player develop adequate skills, technique and gamesmanship practicing only once a week? Doubtful ! A quality practice with small sided games can provide just as much enjoyment as a match. Maybe Mr. Beeler would benefit from going to a few clinics and license courses to learn a few more "things" as he calls it.
I personally have been coaching my children in organized sports for the past ten years. I have coached U-6 thru U16 Girls and Boy soccer teams. I have a E/D license with CYSA, aspire to earn my "D" license, and I am a licensed referee. I'll flat out say that no other sport offers an equal opportunity for a child to succeed in a sport like soccer. I 'll attest to that having played multiple sports in high school and college. You don't have to be exceptionally fast, tall or have extreme strength for a child to excel in soccer. Is it no wonder that youth soccer in our country has been the fastest growing sport in the past decade. I have had the great pleasure of nurturing the passion for the game of soccer not only in my own children but those children whom I have had the privilege of coaching.
So to answer Mr. Beeler's question "Why is it important that other peoples kids keep playing soccer?" Because Mr. Beeler the lessons of commitment, passion, hard work, sportsmanship, competition and teamwork that this game teaches our youth will surely enhance their lives as adults.
Sincerely,
Jim Grimes
Delta Youth Soccer Club
Antioch, California
wjgrimes@jps.net
P.S. If you decide not to print this in the next issue please forward it to Mr. Beeler so he may reply. Thanks!
