YWCO property approval proceeds in Oconee County
In a story much better written than the tripe I churned out for the Banana Herald editorial writer contest, the Oconee County Planning Commission recommended approval of the YWCO's massive plans for recreational expansion near Butler's Crossing. This is a very savvy move by the YWCO by shifting sites slowly and making sure they are doing things right as much as possible in both Oconee and Clarke counties. Obviously I am biased toward Oconee County, but I also realize the symbiotic relationship both counties have in more areas than just soccer and tennis. The comments of John Gentry, the head of the Oconee County Recreation Department, were very smart and well crafter and he is to be commended for running the department as well as it has been in quite some time. The YWCO offers a lot of choices in terms of sports and after school activities for kids and parents.
In a slightly related matter, if you are available Sunday from 2 to 3 pm and want to enjoy some talented soccer by some of the most enthusiastic kids at both the college and Under 8 year old levels, please come out to the Turner Athletic Complex on Milledge Avenue to see the UGA Lady Dawgs play Ole Miss. Our Volcanoes will erupt at halftime in another eight or nine minute exhibition game at the far end corner of the field near the scoreboard and players bench across from the usual area where fans sit in the stands.
We had a tremendous game last night we lost 1-nil where a team we scrimmaged against many times took their coach's game plan and totally shut us down. Anyone who has even a casual interest in soccer realizes that 1-0 games almost never happen at that level of soccer. Coach Kevin tripled teamed my son and that frustrated his efforts and his father to where I almost turned into Kicking and Screaming Will Ferrell for a second in urging him to pass the ball. It is much more difficult to coach, ref and be a parent all at the same time than anyone on the sideline can appreciate unless they have done it themselves. But I do not want to ever put any pressure on my kid or any other kid to play in a manner that is unbecoming or unsportsmanlike.
My son has been playing soccer and football simultaneously and I would never recommend that for anyone. It is never fair to either sport, team, coach or young athlete, to divide loyalties. This is the second time we have made that mistake, and I hope I heed my own advice in keeping him in one after school activity at a time. Lowell told me he no longer wants to play soccer, and that sucks for him because he is undoubtedly extremely talented at kicking the ball in the goal. He tends to play in extremes - four goals or no goals (none last night in four consecutive periods, which you should never do - he was worn out at the end and had to go to a flag football game across town). His mother told me I upset him to the point of tears on the way over there, and that made me feel like crap the rest of the night and today.
We had a player - not my son - who steamroll one of the other young players on the other team on a breakaway which would have resulted in a penalty kick or at least a yellow card if not a red card if we were to give those out at this level. It was not the least bit malicious as much as I could tell (I did not see the immediate lead up) but it just reinforced to me how serious the kids take it and how unintentionally or intentionally parents can interject their feelings and expectations on the young athletes.
We need to support and nurture, not criticize and yell. I apologize to my son and his mother and his teammates and their parents and the league for my outburst last night. I hope my son can reignite his passion for soccer without an overbearing dad screaming at him (no more). We have a great team, wonderful kids who have improved tremendously at the season progressed, supportive parents, and only one loud mouthed passionate coach who is going to keep much more quiet during the last three games.
In a slightly related matter, if you are available Sunday from 2 to 3 pm and want to enjoy some talented soccer by some of the most enthusiastic kids at both the college and Under 8 year old levels, please come out to the Turner Athletic Complex on Milledge Avenue to see the UGA Lady Dawgs play Ole Miss. Our Volcanoes will erupt at halftime in another eight or nine minute exhibition game at the far end corner of the field near the scoreboard and players bench across from the usual area where fans sit in the stands.
We had a tremendous game last night we lost 1-nil where a team we scrimmaged against many times took their coach's game plan and totally shut us down. Anyone who has even a casual interest in soccer realizes that 1-0 games almost never happen at that level of soccer. Coach Kevin tripled teamed my son and that frustrated his efforts and his father to where I almost turned into Kicking and Screaming Will Ferrell for a second in urging him to pass the ball. It is much more difficult to coach, ref and be a parent all at the same time than anyone on the sideline can appreciate unless they have done it themselves. But I do not want to ever put any pressure on my kid or any other kid to play in a manner that is unbecoming or unsportsmanlike.
My son has been playing soccer and football simultaneously and I would never recommend that for anyone. It is never fair to either sport, team, coach or young athlete, to divide loyalties. This is the second time we have made that mistake, and I hope I heed my own advice in keeping him in one after school activity at a time. Lowell told me he no longer wants to play soccer, and that sucks for him because he is undoubtedly extremely talented at kicking the ball in the goal. He tends to play in extremes - four goals or no goals (none last night in four consecutive periods, which you should never do - he was worn out at the end and had to go to a flag football game across town). His mother told me I upset him to the point of tears on the way over there, and that made me feel like crap the rest of the night and today.
We had a player - not my son - who steamroll one of the other young players on the other team on a breakaway which would have resulted in a penalty kick or at least a yellow card if not a red card if we were to give those out at this level. It was not the least bit malicious as much as I could tell (I did not see the immediate lead up) but it just reinforced to me how serious the kids take it and how unintentionally or intentionally parents can interject their feelings and expectations on the young athletes.
We need to support and nurture, not criticize and yell. I apologize to my son and his mother and his teammates and their parents and the league for my outburst last night. I hope my son can reignite his passion for soccer without an overbearing dad screaming at him (no more). We have a great team, wonderful kids who have improved tremendously at the season progressed, supportive parents, and only one loud mouthed passionate coach who is going to keep much more quiet during the last three games.
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