TOVO Tueday 140

Relationships

Football is nothing if it is not about relationships.?

This I tell every player and parent.?

While score lines fade with time, the feelings of being part of a team do not. The locker room banter. The hugs. The high-fives. The bus ride chats. The mates that send you a note from time to time to check in on your life many moons from the last match contested. Friends.?

I believe that at times we coaches lose sight of our role. We bury ourselves in stats, in tactics, in line ups and taglines. We care for trophies more than the individuals who compete for them. We respect medals won more than integrity earned.?

I believe that at times we parents lose sight of the wholesome. We believe that a winning coach is the best coach regardless of the means to victory. We perpetuate a myth that the vociferous coach is a more passionate coach. We accept leaders that berate children to toughen them up all in the name of a premier team or tournament title.?

Not all of us, but I know I have erred many times in this regard. Until I did not. Until I realized that what kids really need is guidance to build those relationships through respect and reliability. That while losing a match hurts, it is nothing compared to losing the capacity to see that someone in front of you.?

We will all embark on a new term, a new season, a new venture soon enough. Sport is as seasonal as holidays. Thankfully so. We get to recharge and restart.?

Before the new campaign kicks off, I will remind myself first and foremost of a simple message

Football is nothing if it is not about relationships. Let′s go.?