End of an Era
Finally, after a journey of 16 years, which started firstly with my older son and then for the last 13 with my younger son following his immortal, emotional blackmail words of "but you help with Rory's team..." it's time to hang up the coaches jacket and retire.
Linlithgow Rose Community Football Club - 2006 Whites have reached the end of their pathway within the club and as the lads turn 18 and are about to head out to jobs and universities to study Medicine, Law, Veterinary, Cyber Security, Sport Science, English , apprenticeships and automotive mechanics quite literally all over the world, yesterday was our final End of season awards.
From starting out with them as 5 year olds to now seeing them sign off as grown young men has been a journey and one of many ups and downs along the way. To be the last squad standing from the 3 which started in our year group is testament to the boys and their commitments. Lads inevitably leave along the way, but i am proud that lads from the other squads wanted to switch and join us.
Life is about making mistakes and learning from them and it's a lesson i learned from the 2003s to the 2006s. One of the most important lessons we tried to install through the years was always "Enjoy yourselves", those words were always the last they heard before taking the field and never changed from the first game they played to the final one and seeing the bond they built was brilliant.
Thanks to all the coaches and parents who have helped as it was never a one man show and without them we couldn't have reached this far, to see them merrily go off to the pub afterwards was quite amusing, but just hits home that they have grown so much under our noses.
领英推荐
To all and any prospective grassroot coaches out there winning is not the be all and end all measure of success - development, growth, self esteem, friendships and enjoyment are far better barometers. Yes it's nice to win, but in 20 years time it's your friends and memories which count.
It has been a journey, but good luck to the lads on their next step.
Unos... Dos.... Tres..... VAMOS LOS BLANCOS!!.
National Mobile Operations Manager at ATS Euromaster
9 个月Brilliant summary Stewart - now you go & enjoy yourself ??
Business Development | Relationship Manager | Share Plans | Financial Services | Financial Education | Project Management | Mountain Biker
9 个月Great stuff Stewart. I coached a few of our junior rugby teams over the years both whilst still playing and after retiring and it’s great to see those friendships formed then still going strong years later - that’s when you realise it’s not just the game but the social element and everything that comes with it that is so important with grassroots sports.
Manager , Operational Excellence
9 个月Great Article Stewart - some great words and advice too! Well done on all your efforts over the years , you can put your feet up now and relax- maybe.