Greetings Shadow U11 Players, Parents, and Coaches!
I hope this email finds you well, enjoying the beautiful weather that we are having! I can't think of a better welcoming sign for spring soccer than for the sunshine we have been experiencing this past week. I am so excited for all of you to be back out on the fields playing, coaching, or simply enjoying your child play soccer. Some of you have already begun practices, and others will be starting soon. As we head back into this spring season, I wanted to just encourage you and your players to really take pleasure in this great game and the joys that it brings to all of us.
For the players, this age provides continued learning experiences that continue to build the foundation of their skills with the ball, increase their awareness of the game off the ball, and help them learn a little more about their positional responsibilities. We want to see them having fun while learning and enjoying their time with the ball on the field! Practices and games will again give them this chance this spring.
For parents, first, thank you for taking part in the learning experience with your child. Your support of your player is paramount in your child's enjoyment and benefit from soccer. Encouraging their efforts and hard work on the field is the key! All kids are developing and growing in different spurts through these years with their skills and abilities and each needs individual attention for their accomplishments. We need to remember this and encourage them appropriately. I was bitterly reminded of this myself just this weekend with my 4 year old. He really excelled this winter while learning how to ski and I just assumed that this weekend he would tear right into learning how to ride his bike minus the training wheels. I put too much pressure on him and the result was not good. He didn't enjoy the unsteadiness he felt, or my instructions. He's going to stick with training wheels until he's ready, and I learned again that I just need to stay on the sidewalk and enjoy him riding where he's at. Let's remember that the game provides these same types of pressures for our players and all they need and want to hear from us on the sideline is a lot of positive reinforcement, cheering, and smiles for their endeavors.
Coaches, thank you as well for all that you do for your players. The focus that you all provide for your players has been excellent to observe. I look forward to working with you all again this spring as we look to continue with the learning process. Players' skills might be little rusty while returning back this spring. It'll be our goal to help them polish these skills, learn new ones, and encourage them as they grow!
Thanks for being a part of the Shadow family and I wish you all the best of the luck as we return to the fields!
Matt Leonard
Shadow U11 Junior Youth Director
Head Coach, Shadow 92B U17 Navy
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