I posted this on my board in response to whether extra personal training was good. But it ended up in being a farewell to watching my son play. Maybe some of you could identify with me. I am not sure of the English youth/college system, but there has to be one similar to the one in the states.::::
My son loved soccer, and one of the best things that I did for him was to get him extra training, (BTW $25.00 a session or less), OR, we went to a program that had extra training 5x a week. He got better and progressed over the years, and got a college D1 scholarship to a great academic college.
Back then I had the means to pay, now, if I had to do it again, I would get a great trainer together with friends and have him train them on the cheap. Times are different now, but it is doable. Extra practice is always a good thing though!
My son played 5-6 days a weeks and never tired of playing. However, in college, with the never ending difficult practices, the challanges of D1, and the fact that his college was academically challanging, he did tire. He also went to a college, up north, (north east of Philly), and never could adjust to the weather. He was great in 85*plus weather, but found it difficult playing in 45* or less. Something to consider. He said he seemed to be sick all the time.
In the end, he is graduating from that school this May, a college that he loves, and with friends that he loves. He told me that he will stay with his friends, in the north after graduating. WHICH, is something more to consider. You want to keep your child close, then do not send him or her to a school far away. I did not factor that into his/my decision, but then He made the right choice and it was his choice. I however, will miss him dearly.
Bottom line is that it worked out for him, and that was all that mattered. As for me, I loved watching, ALL of his club games, the ODP games, the tournaments, R3PL games, and the state cup, and the regionals when they went on, just watching him play, or even practice.
It is over, and it will be over, for all of you some day. You will be, like me, missing something that was a big part of your life for a while. It was too short a time, watching your kids, cheering on your kids, too short......so enjoy it now, because it is fleeting. It can not put into words how I miss it, and miss watching him play the greatest game. It is hard to say adios to something that was such a large part of your life, but then, your kids move on and grow, and hopefully you will as well.
My son loved soccer, and one of the best things that I did for him was to get him extra training, (BTW $25.00 a session or less), OR, we went to a program that had extra training 5x a week. He got better and progressed over the years, and got a college D1 scholarship to a great academic college.
Back then I had the means to pay, now, if I had to do it again, I would get a great trainer together with friends and have him train them on the cheap. Times are different now, but it is doable. Extra practice is always a good thing though!
My son played 5-6 days a weeks and never tired of playing. However, in college, with the never ending difficult practices, the challanges of D1, and the fact that his college was academically challanging, he did tire. He also went to a college, up north, (north east of Philly), and never could adjust to the weather. He was great in 85*plus weather, but found it difficult playing in 45* or less. Something to consider. He said he seemed to be sick all the time.
In the end, he is graduating from that school this May, a college that he loves, and with friends that he loves. He told me that he will stay with his friends, in the north after graduating. WHICH, is something more to consider. You want to keep your child close, then do not send him or her to a school far away. I did not factor that into his/my decision, but then He made the right choice and it was his choice. I however, will miss him dearly.
Bottom line is that it worked out for him, and that was all that mattered. As for me, I loved watching, ALL of his club games, the ODP games, the tournaments, R3PL games, and the state cup, and the regionals when they went on, just watching him play, or even practice.
It is over, and it will be over, for all of you some day. You will be, like me, missing something that was a big part of your life for a while. It was too short a time, watching your kids, cheering on your kids, too short......so enjoy it now, because it is fleeting. It can not put into words how I miss it, and miss watching him play the greatest game. It is hard to say adios to something that was such a large part of your life, but then, your kids move on and grow, and hopefully you will as well.
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