Fife Coaching Academy

Dear Coach,

My son was recently informed that he was surplus to requirements in our local Under 10s team. The league only allows for the registration of 14 players and the coach isn't prepared to have other boys train with them. He's concerned that this has a negative impact on the performance of the team and his stated priority is to do well in the league. This means that my son can't play in his local side with his friends.

He's realistic about his football abilities and knows that he doesn't quite cut the mustard - yet. I've explained to him that he's only nine years old and that one day he may well leapfrog his peers. I've also explained that he might not, and he understands that. He knows that he might never be a particularly good football player and he doesn't really care. He loves the game and he just wants to play. Isn't that what's great about football? Anyone can play.

Luckily, I was able to get him a place with your club, Lomond Colts. This team embodies all that can be really good about youth coaching. They are entirely inclusive. Anyone who comes to training gets to play in the matches. They have opted out of their local competitive league to focus on training with the occasional friendly match. Their coaching sessions are of an extremely high standard. The players (and coaches and parents) clearly have a great time every Saturday morning. My son is happy. He's making a new set of friends and he is improving rapidly as a player.

The coaches who run this team are an example to us all. Their priority is to give the players who come to them an education in football. They want their players to have fun and improve. They are not interested in how well they do in the league. For these guys, it's about the players - not the coach.


Regards

A Happy Parent