2018 Spring Soccer was a blast this year. A neighborhood team was put together wherein every kid but one was from our immediate neighborhood and ward. The kids already knew each other and it gave the parents a chance to tackle the season collectively. I was asked to coach this team as well as got a few requests from parents of past teams I had coached, but thought it was best to let Dax have a chance with a coach directing him on the field that isn't also directing him off the field.
My neighbor, Ryan, volunteered to be the head coach and I'm so glad he did. His enthusiasm and patience with the kids is amazing and I learned a lot from him this year by acting as his assistant. As it turned out, Ryan also coached another team and his schedule often had conflicts, so I took the whistle and stood in his stead when he couldn't be there. I really had a fun time and appreciated his experience and example. He is a high school teacher and coach and you can tell he knows what he's doing. More importantly, the kids loved being coached by him as well.
The name the team voted on was...
THE METAL DRAGONS!!!!
We liked the name, but the other teams probably found it a bit of a mouthful. We really had a great team this year. I think they were a bit on the older side in comparison to the other teams, or at least they were bigger. We won all but two games, I think. One ended in a tie and the other was a loss, but every game was fun and the kids progressed. We have a few players that show real potential. It was fun to watch them play and elevate the play of those around them. The kids really did have fun. In one game, one player, Little James, stopped and shouted for all to hear, "THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!" That's what you want to hear from the kids.
I miss the organized athletics of my youth...we had team Mom's, team photos, banners, colors, etc. The most favorite thing was going for pizza at the end of the season with the team. I remember that as much as any of the games. It seems they just don't do that here, or at least it hasn't been our experience. They hardly even do trophies...even now in the age of everybody wins! So, I made sure we ended the season with a pizza party at the park, trophies and lots of love for the sport and team. Coach Ryan led the team in some games and even had a scrimmage with the team vs the parents. We finished with lots of food and trophies. It was fun. I can't wait until next season!
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| Dax driving to the net. |
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| Dax and a couple of his mates, Ava and Jordan. |
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| Halftime adjustments with Coach Ryan |
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| Dax and a couple other subs, Jordan and Rivers |
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| Pregame speech with Coach Q. Coach James and Coach Ted looking on. |
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| End of Game Cheer. GO, METAL DRAGONS! |
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| Coach Ryan playing follow the leader with the team at our last practice. |
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| Rivers |
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| Mason |
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| My personal favorite player, Daxalicious.com! |
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| Jordo! |
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| Coach Ryan, Jordo and Daxo! |
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| Linus |
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| Reed |
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| Allie |
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We bought a dozen pizzas and everybody else brought chips, fruit and drinks.
It was our final practice at the end of our season. |
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| Coach Ryan eyeing a piece of pizza. |
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Coach Ted. Another Dad with great experience coaching. Yet another person to
learn from. |
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I think this was Coach James first time coaching and he did great! His son, James
was a hoot to coach. Every Sunday at church, Little James would seek me out
and run up to give me knuckles while shouting, "Hey Coach Q!" Makes you
feel good. |
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The Metal Dragons!
Back Row L to R: James, Jordan, Reed and Linus
Front Row L to R: Mason, Rivers, Allie and Dax |
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| The team! |
Trophy Time!
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Dax was definitely team entertainment and clown. Here he is
approaching Coach Ryan as a Velociraptor to receive his trophy. |
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| Roaring like a Metal Dragon |
Thanks Metal Dragons, coaches and parents for a great Spring season. See you in Fall!
