Currently in 4th grade and 9 years old, my daughter Parker (or as we call her "P") started playing rec soccer early having her mom as a coach for a few seasons. This occurred in Smyrna (just outside of ATL), a 4 year stint in Chestnut Hill / Philadelphia, PA, and back to ATL since 2020. Throughout her journey she played well, but truly recreationally, which was enjoyable for her and us.
In 2020 she was asked to attend a camp with a local Smyrna squad that was looking to expand their girl rosters for below 12. She attended the camp, was told she was athletic, coachable and would be asked to join in the spring. Although I can't recall her admitting this, I think she was keen to play goalie because she doesn't enjoy running very much and liked the goalie gloves.
As the squad grew and higher talent was recruited, I watched her struggle. As an observer, the others appeared to have more experience and as they aged, had advancement breakthroughs she just didn't realize. Despite this, she never shy'd from her positional duties and on various occasions played with older girls to fill in for absent goalies.
Winter 2022 she realized things were moving fast around her and she talked with us about not being left behind and keeping pace with the others. She took practice more seriously, worked the hardest I've seen her work, drilled, worked with a coach outside of squad practice and her play improved.
As she headed into spring and summer 2022 her improvements were noticed and acknowledged by coaches, players and parents and I believe it encouraged her even more. Fast forward to fall ball, she is captain of her blue team, has earned the team ball a few times, and just last week will be joining the gold team for game time. And she couldn't be more excited about being a goalie because she is unique on the field and has the opportunity to holler advice to the team throughout the game.
She is so proud of herself and we are so happy for her and love watching the growth, confidence and capability grow in her. While we all want to win and have the best players on the field, the experience soccer has provided our daughter is really at the core of why athletics are so important for our children. They are learning life skills including confidence building, learning how to work as part of a team, see the return on the investment of effort and dealing with, and overcoming adversity.
While we have no idea what the future holds, the above mentioned lessons will hopefully serve her for the long term.