This letter has apparently made the rounds of Little League the past few years, but I only recently came across it as a soccer coach. The best I can tell, it was written by Brian Gotta, the President of CoachDeck. It's an open letter to his parents on his little league baseball team. But the sentiments are felt by youth sports coaches across all sports.
For youth soccer coaches who 'get it' and try to focus on player development over wins, it can be a difficult sell for team parents. Stan Baker recently published a list of ten questions for parents to help them judge if their children and team are doing well:
Parents who understand what the team is trying to accomplish and what our style of play looks like, will be more likely to lend support and back what the coach is attempting to do.
The semifinal win over Nigeria in the 2012 Under-20 Women's World Cup was just a bit special for
U.S. stiker Chioma Ubogagu. Both of her parents were born in Nigeria, before emigrating to England
and then Texas, and she still has relatives there. The Nigerian players certainly took note of her
ancestry and several players chatted with her after the game.
By Charles Boehm - WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 29, 2012) US Soccer Players -- With the clock ticking down
towards next month's USA - Jamaica World Cup qualifiers, I sought out the perspectives of one
person with as much knowledge of the two nations' footballing fortunes as anyone: retired Jamaican
midfielder Andy Williams.
Aston Villa completed the transfer of 22-year-old defender Joe Bennett from Middlesbrough and
instead of a standardly joyous and exuberant photoshoot of the England U-21 international at his
new home, the club opted for a more restrained and thoughtful portrayal.
Hello all. It's been a long, hectic and draining day but it's only the first day of Arsenal's
arrival for 2012 version of their tour to Asia. Early morning showers did not dampen the spirits of
Arsenal fans here in Kuala Lumpur as they all came out in droves to welcome the team.
Those Sunday lunches back at the Neville family home must really drag if this exchange is par for
the course. Sky Sports pundit Gary and Everton skipper Phil negotiated the awkward we grew up
together, were employed together for most of our careers and share the same parents... but now I'm
interviewing you territory with [.
Those Sunday lunches back at the Neville family home must really drag if this exchange is par for
the course. Sky Sports pundit Gary and Everton skipper Phil negotiated the awkward we grew up
together, were employed together for most of our careers and share the same parents... but now I'm
interviewing you territory with [.
According to reports in ESPN Brasil, São Paulo have said ‘no' to an official €25 million
(£19.6 million) offer from Inter Milan for Lucas Moura. The bid is less than that offered by
Manchester United and was immediately turned down. ESPN Brasil also say that Russian side Anzhi
Makhachkala are willing to top United's offer but that the player and his parents are set on a move
to Old Trafford.
São Paulo director of football, Adalberto Baptista, has said the club are considering talking
to Manchester United target, Lucas Moura, about an extension to his current contract.
"It may be that [we] change the contract. [It is] for four years. But we can call him, or any other
player, anytime, to renegotiate, [or] extend.
The FA have today announced that Rio Ferdinand has been charged for comments he made on Twitter
in reference to Ashley Cole, who gave evidence in defence of John Terry in his trial following
allegations of racism towards Rio's brother, Anton.
"The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game
into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or
race.
The weekend's tragic death of Piermario Morosini, which saw football in Italy cancelled, has
permeated the sport.
Unfortunately, his life was equally as tragic as his death, losing both of his parents as a
teenager, his brother to suicide a couple of years ago, and he was responsible for taking care of
his physically disabled elder sister.
As we are sure you must be aware by now, Livorno's Piermario Morosini collapsed on the pitch on
Saturday during his side's Serie B game vs. Pescara. Despite efforts to revive him, he passed
away.
At 25-years-old Morosini had already suffered terribly in his life, losing both his parents
before he was eighteen and his disabled brother shortly after.
Immense stuff from Udinese hero Antonio Di Natale, who has vowed to take guardianship andÂ
provide both financial and emotional support to the sister of former teammate Piermario Morosini
the Zebrette midfielder on loan at Livorno midfielder who died at the tragically young age of 25
after collapsing on the pitch in Serie B this weekend.
Earlier today David Villa presented the eighth edition of the book "Relatos Solidarios" a
compilation of short stories written by 42 journos with Villa contributing as well. The book was
dedicated to Dani Montesinos, a journalist who tragically died in an accident but was
represented in spirit by his parents, widow and brother (L-R, above) at Thursday's launch.
It made perfect sense in 1994. About a year ago my parents sold my childhood home and moved.
Riveting way to start a blog post, naturally. Somewhere in the move, I sincerely hope a
crudely-made sign I made as a 13-year-old survived. It read, "Forza Italia" with a picture of a
blue jersey on it. Also think I wrote, in magic marker, "Goooooalll" and the words "Baggio.
While Euro 2012 has rolled on, so too has the rumour mill. One wonders how the players still
involved in the championships can remain focused while their futures are contemplated by the media,
their agents, their parents and/or their siblings. The big news reported in our last transfer
update here concerned the possible return of [.
Mario Balotelli is out of Euro 2012. But Mario Barwuah Balotelli is very much part of the Italy
squad. The Manchester City striker has registered both his family names for the tournament, meaning
his shirt will read 'Barwuah Balotelli'. The 21-year-old was born Mario Barwuah, but swapped the
surname of his Ghanaian parents for that [.
Barcelona centre-half Gerard Pique was discharged from hospital yesterday afternoon following an
evening under observation after getting knocked out sparko in a collision with Victor Valdes at the
Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
However, according to Catalunya Radio, Pique cannot remember playing against Chelsea at all
despite making it through 18 minutes of the match before being carted off to hospital with a pretty
serious case of concussion which is either extremely worrying or extremely convenient.
With the release of our U11 video showcasing unseen before soccer in the States, and the
subsequent chronicling of our younger U10s and those U11s competing in Barcelona, I've been
bombarded with emails from coaches, DOCs, and parents from across the country (internationally
even).
Leo Messi and his girlfriend/wife who is of pretty hair and round rump are supposedly going to
be parents.
All we've got by way of a confirmation is a screen grab from Twitter and a bunch of articles we
can't read. We're told, however, that the news first broke on an Argentine radio program and has
since been confirmed by multiple media sources.
The Brazilian clubs Guaranay, green, and Sergpipe, red, aside from the excellent names, join the
many legions of clubs in lower tiers who will gain infamy through something other than their
football. The former, down 1-0 in the dying moments, threw caution and the goalkeeper into the
latter's box, leaving open the net down the other end, where the attacker would find.
Southampton manager Nigel Adkins is currently playing a game of pin the rat-tail on your first-choice keeper. And the buck has currently stopped with young Argentine Paulo Gazzaniga. Parents along the south coast will be hoping that Gazzaniga is back on the bench before the craze catches on.
No, this isn't an old home video sent in by Pepe Reina's parents, but it is evidence that bad
days for goalkeepers start at a young age.
A shot that bounces off the post, hits the keeper in the face and then back into the goal,
giving the grey team's No. 10 a reason to celebrate and the keeper in red a sore nose.
Chicago Fire 'keeper Sean Johnson will likely top the list of most tickets needed for the game at
"The Office". Born to Jamaican parents and holding dual passports, Johnson has loads of family on
the island and even participated in a training camp for the Reggae Boyz at the U-17 and
U-20 levels.
As the 2012 fall travel soccer season approaches, Virginia Online Soccer News is reaching out to
the travel soccer community asking parents, coaches, and players:
Vote Now: Which travel soccer club is the best in the state of Virginia?
When voting please consider the overall club experience including quality of coaching, cost, player
development, etc.
During three days of demonstrations at the Schwann's USA Cup, the American Amputee Soccer
Association had hundreds of players, parents, and soccer fans stop by and take in the fastest game
on one leg demonstrated by players on the US National Amputee Soccer Team. On Thursday the AASA
hosted a two hour clinic meant to [.
I've been a Roma fan since the fourth grade. In the midst of an enthralling elementary school
history class, my parents whisked me away to Rome for a 10-day jaunt in the Eternal City, and
something in me never left. While visiting the piazzas and the ancient landmarks and being doted on
by accommodating Italian restauranteurs and doing whatever else it is that 10-year-olds do in
European
The Hillcrest Alumni will be holding their 2nd Annual Game on Friday July 20th this year. The
game will be played at the Hillcrest Hornets pitch. It's open to all former Hillcrest soccer
players and will start at 6:30 pm.
Come join us at Hillcrest soccer field as the current squad takes on the alumni team for what
promises to be a great event.
The Portland Timbers pass the ball well side to side, backwards, and sometimes even forward but
never threatens except for one long range shot from Kris Boyd. The a few dangerous chances and get
the lone goal. 1-0 loss.
First and Second Half:
Both halves are pretty much the same so I will sum it up with the following paragraph:
Portland passes the ball down the wing to (insert outside player name) who then passes it back
to the outside back.
Today was media day for the local press to interview the National Team, and the number request
besides Jurgen Klinsmann?
Graham Zusi.
The Sporting KC midfielder grew up in Longwood, just east of Orlando. He played at Lake Brantley
High School, where he earned Central Florida Player of the Year honors and reached the final four
of Class 6A in his junior year.
The crowds are of course usually small at the CONCACAF qualifying events for youth women, but the
parents of this current U.S. U-17 team deserve some kudos for making it not seem that way.
Although the majority of the parents didn't arrive until the USA's third group game, they brought
with them American flags, horns, face paint, loud voices, tons of energy and some serious
coordinated cheering.
The Champions League's best skills came from Carlos Darwin Quintero.
After Bayern Munich dueled with Real Madrid, there was another match in the Champions League. It
was the 2nd match of the CONCACAF Champions League final between Mexican sides Santos Laguna and
Monterrey. Santos Laguna lost 3-2 on aggregate, but Carlos Darwin Quintero produced an amazing
flick over two Monterrey defenders that should have resulted in a penalty kick for Santos.
Following the death of Italian footballer Piermario Morosini during a Serie B match less than
two weeks ago, there have been increased calls to have defibrillators on standby at matches across
all levels of the sport. And though it will take time to bring about widespread changes,
individuals like 19-year-old Milan striker Stephan El Sharaawy are doing what they can to help on a
smaller scale.
Hollie Cavanagh's bid for the title of American Idol got a huge boost last night, when Jamie
Carragher and his teammates sent her a good luck message from across the pond.
Hollie, who lived in Allerton, Liverpool before her parents moved to Texas ten years ago, was
seemingly overwhelmed when Ryan Seacrest introduced Carra before her performance, although it's not
entirely clear whether the majority of the audience understood what he said.
It's never easy refereeing young kids playing sports uncoordinated, sloppy, and that one
overweight kid who makes a fool of himself tripping over his own calf. Not to mention the parents
who often treat such outings as a hall pass to act like immature college students looking for
fights.
