Nate's first soccer game- sort of

I had hope to write a cute blog entry about Nate's first soccer game. A gripping play by play recap of the Brookvale Laser's triumph over the Cromer Bull Shark's....in this daydream I'm sure that Nate would have scored the winning goal. OK now for the reality. Nate recently joined an under 6 team- his first official sport's team. The team had one practice which involved of kicking the ball wildly until the coach blew the whistle at which time all the kids were instructed to stop and put their head on the ball (not a practical drill but the kids had fun and learned how to listen- kind of). With one whole practice under their belt the Laser's were geared up and ready to play a match.

Let me explain little kid soccer: Under 6 teams play 4 vs. 4 for about 15 minutes on a field about the length of a car. It is udder chaos with all 8 players typically swarming after the ball. There is no keeping score and no winners (but if any of the kids were asked they could all tell you who won and by how much).

So back to game day. Nate was suited up with his over sized shirt (one that would fit a 9 year old), team socks and new boots and ready to go. That is until we reached the pitch (i.e. field). Then he saw the hundreds of kids and dozens of games going on- mayhem really. We took a couple of photos - see below then like switch going off he no longer had interest in playing. As the game began his determination grew stronger....now no longer didn't he want to play but he didn't even want to stand next to his team mates. He was willing to step (or be dragged/carried) out on the pitch with his dad and stood there for 10 seconds then ran off. It was a full blown melt down. (mutter to myself: "Great! Glad I paid money to sign him up on the team...how many matches do we have left"....out loud voice: "good try buddy").

The season has just begun and hopefully he feel more comfortable and get out there and have fun. After all half of his DNA is loaded with soccer skills and passion for the game.

I'll keep you posted.