I was reading Jennifer Sando’s blog today as a part of the Absolute Write blog chain. She’s a writer based in Adelaide, Australia and was discussing the World Cup soccer fever.
I don’t have a working television and I show minimal interest in sports. So the only other reason I even knew the World Cup was 
happening is because Google changed it’s “o” into a soccer ball for a bit.
But I’m learning — my seven-year-old son is a full-fledged soccer nut.
Just last weekend he played his final game and was thrilled to earn another trophy for his wall of fame. During this marathon day of games, it impressed me the way youth were given leadership roles in the organization. Most teams played two games sometime during the tournament, so the rest of the day, older players acted as referees and line judges for the younger teams. They were mature, took their jobs quite seriously, and even the 10-year-old refs had a better handle on the rules than I did.
Beyond the obvious service they provided throughout the tournament, these youth were role models for the younger players they led. And they reinforced to adults the valuable resource that young people can be.
Three cheers for youth soccer — whose goals aren’t just between the posts.
By the way, here’s the AW Chain of bloggers for this round. You may want to check out each of their posts – it’s fun!
The whole chain is here:
Musings of a Writing Wife Loving Twilight Forbidden Snowflake At Home, Writing Fireflies in the Cloud The Road Less Traveled Mad Scientist Matt’s Lair Jennifer Sando Youth – Our Greatest Natural Resource Peregrinas Organized Chaos Flying Shoes Kappa no He Southern Expressions Everything Indian The Secret Government Eggo Project
Laurie, you’re next!
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1:26 pm
[...] Soccer season is here and with it comes mega-miles in minivans, and busy nights at practices and games. Many soccer leagues offer opportunities for experienced players to assist in lower level tournaments. It’s also a chance for parents to role model positive sideline behavior. [...]
1:04 am
I have to agree with you about soccer, especially among youth sports, as teaching leadership skills. (I used to coach youth soccer (traveling league)) And I think that they are skills that many will take with them off of the field and apply in other areas of their lives whether it’s school or in the future, work. Great post.