Last year, I wrote this post about Owen playing soccer. His classes were on Saturday mornings and he enjoyed this first experience with organized sports. It was the perfect introduction to playing soccer because the classes were set up by age and the emphasis was on learning the basics rather than on competition.
This year, we were encouraged to consider a team coached by the physical education teacher from Eva and Isabel's school. Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. with games on most Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Initially the boys were divided into two groups according to age. However, as weeks have gone by the numbers have dwindled in the lower age group. In fact, Owen very quickly became hesitant about playing and we considered allowing him to withdraw.
Instead, Pedro talked to the coach and we decided to only have Owen practice on Tuesdays and attend Saturday games. This past Saturday was his first game and we learned an important fact: if you show up on time at 9:30 a.m. you will definitely play on the team during the first half! In true Iquique fashion, many of the team members did not straggle in until the game was well underway.
It was immediately apparent that Owen felt nervous and uncomfortable about playing. There was a whole different feel to the field with opposing teams in different jerseys and many more people milling about. Unfortunately, when Owen feels overwhelmed he has a tendency to react by withdrawing and becoming grumpy/mad. It took some extra encouragement from the coach and instruction from Daddy for him to get out on the field with the team.
Personally, I thought he was the handsomest player out there. He looked so cute in his #5 jersey as he played defense and tried to keep up with the bigger kids. As the youngest on his team he is at a bit of a disadvantage but we've encouraged him that this experience is going to help him become an even better player in the future. :)
We are very proud of our "soccer star!"
This year, we were encouraged to consider a team coached by the physical education teacher from Eva and Isabel's school. Practices are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. with games on most Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Initially the boys were divided into two groups according to age. However, as weeks have gone by the numbers have dwindled in the lower age group. In fact, Owen very quickly became hesitant about playing and we considered allowing him to withdraw.
Instead, Pedro talked to the coach and we decided to only have Owen practice on Tuesdays and attend Saturday games. This past Saturday was his first game and we learned an important fact: if you show up on time at 9:30 a.m. you will definitely play on the team during the first half! In true Iquique fashion, many of the team members did not straggle in until the game was well underway.
It was immediately apparent that Owen felt nervous and uncomfortable about playing. There was a whole different feel to the field with opposing teams in different jerseys and many more people milling about. Unfortunately, when Owen feels overwhelmed he has a tendency to react by withdrawing and becoming grumpy/mad. It took some extra encouragement from the coach and instruction from Daddy for him to get out on the field with the team.
Personally, I thought he was the handsomest player out there. He looked so cute in his #5 jersey as he played defense and tried to keep up with the bigger kids. As the youngest on his team he is at a bit of a disadvantage but we've encouraged him that this experience is going to help him become an even better player in the future. :)
We are very proud of our "soccer star!"
working the defense
poised and ready to run
getting right in there
he's got some long legs for running
Daddy, his biggest fan
3 comments:
He does look very handsome!
What great pictures of your handsome son!
Oh my word! He is SO cute. What a doll! You don't do shape ups in Chile with the hair? Very interesting. Isn't it funny how different things matter so much in different places?
Just so you know the pictures didn't show up until I clicked on each one. I don't know if they are showing up the right way on your blog.
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