It was a big day for the football family last Sunday – a day of trial games for the upcoming season. It started at eight in the morning, when I set out to referee a couple of Under 6s games.
A talented young kid shows some great dribbling skills, beats three of the opposition easily and kicks the ball into the back of the mini goals net – except he was going the wrong way. A common problem at this age despite all the parents, coaches (and referee) trying to tell him.
Later in the morning I’m coaching the U11s. They played really well even though they were beaten 5-4.
Some of the training is starting to pay off and I think we will make the semis this year. We just need the goalkeeper to stop the ball going through his legs.
Off to the canteen for a sausage and onion sanger for lunch and my first beer of the day.
Later in the afternoon it’s the Over 35s.
The boys start arriving late as usual. Most of them only got an email from me the day before (because that’s when I found out) that we were playing a trial game, so I wasn’t expecting a full team.
But we did: the mobile phone was running hot and we managed to get 11 players.
The team played well and we didn’t do too badly but by about 20 minutes into the game we’d all just about run out of puff and our goal lead was quickly snuffed out.
But we managed to hold on until half time desperate for the refreshments.
In the second half, the opposition started to tire, too, and it turned into a shooting match.
Eight – six it finished, and I even managed to get a couple – one of them a screamer from all of five yards out.
Then it’s off to the esky to finish off the beers.
Although we were pretty buggered, the conversation was pretty bright and everyone agreed it was going to be another bumper year. The car park had been full all day and people had to park streets away.
“Who’s goin to see the Socceroos beat Uzbekistan?” “When are we getting the A-League on free to air?” “Man Utd got beaten again, bunch of chokers!”
It’d been a big day for all of us. The grounds had been packed with games, players, parents and grand parents and we’d all been a part of it in one way or another.
It looks like our football club’s headed for another big year.
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Kurt said | March 26th 2009 @ 6:54am | Report comment
Yawn
Rellum said | March 26th 2009 @ 7:27am | Report comment
All sounds good fun apart from your concerns with your under 11′s making the semi’s. If they are playing well that is fantastic, if they win that is a nice bonus.
Shane said | March 26th 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
Had a similar week last week but my over 35s got thrashed. Roll-on footy season. Kurt lighten up
Pippinu said | March 26th 2009 @ 9:40am | Report comment
I’m involved with my local U8s this year.
Kurt
no need to be like that – it’s a typical day out for a family, regardless of what sport they’re playing – I’m sure everyone can relate to it.
Kurt said | March 26th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
OK, fair enough, maybe that was a bit grumpy. But I was literally yawning as I wrote it. Flew in from UK yesterday am massively jet lagged and have been awake since 4am.
Pippinu said | March 26th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
No worries – I guess you’ll be hitting the sack any minute!
jimbo said | March 26th 2009 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
OK OK,
its not the most exciting thing I’ve ever written, but it was a great day for me and the kids.
Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football said | March 28th 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Jimbo,
excellent article and it took me back to my days playing some 35 years ago .. Almost identical scenarios … Great memories and good times at junior level and over 35′s park football … a delight to read….
A cheer from me….
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No. 8 shirt and Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football
jimbo said | March 28th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Thanks Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football,
By the way, U6s play with a regulation FIFA No. 3 football and yes it needs to be round.
A few humorous things were edited out of the original article, probably because of the naughty words, like the time outs and interchanges in the U6s for a wee break for the youngsters holding on to the end of their willies and some of the very funny, rude and uncomplimentary things the younger blokes were shouting out at the more distinguished senior players jogging around the field.