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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Season Opener

posted by Rick Blue at 12h03

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For me, summer begins with the first soccer game: girl’s soccer, that is.

My daughter, 15, plays in the Lakeshore Soccer League. And Saturday, I attended the first game of the season at Dorset Park in Baie d’Urfé.

It was a positive experience. I mean, first of all, the economy can’t be that bad if so many parents can afford the time to come out and sit for an hour while our daughters boot a ball around a field.

I had to go through the official West Island Sport Parent check list before leaving home: Chairs? Check. Hat? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Water? Check. Mosquito net? Check.

I always find the first game a little confusing. I wasn’t even sure what team my daughter was on. What colour shirt was she wearing? There are 20 girls out there all with pony tails. My eyesight really is going downhill.

I ask another parent who doesn’t even remember the name of his daughter’s team. Is she on the blue team? I thought her shirt looked green … but not THAT green.

Every year, the girls look different. You don’t see them for a whole winter and then, BAM – the little dumpy girl with braces has grown a foot taller and looks like an Olympic athlete.

But the parents remain the same. Only problem is, I haven’t seen them either for a whole winter and I have forgotten all the first names.

I finally spot her. She’s on the blue team. And soon, we all get into the game. We cease to be just taxi drivers and become the ultimate partisans – sports parents.

Soon, the referee has to remind us that the cheering is to be done from our side of the field and the coaching is to be done from the other side. Then, he further clarifies the point by adding: “Go Pumas!” is cheering; and “Get the ball, Maria” is coaching.

It was a beautiful day. I notice the smell of the grass. It is a smell that takes me right back to my youth. And if anything can do that, even for a moment, I feel it is definitely worthwhile.

We lost. But I have learned much from being a soccer parent. The thing about being on a losing team is that every victory will be that much sweeter.






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