Folks, we must be doing something right, another great weekend of soccer. The sun was out, and when the wind was not blowing it was comfortable. There was a lot of great soccer played this weekend, some teams that lost last week, won this week. There were some tie games, some 1 - 0 games, and a couple of blow-outs. Some days even the best teams just don't click and they get blown out. Now on to Saturday.
From what I could tell just about everyone had a great day, I say just about everyone, because someone is not happy with me. My truck was keyed sometime between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The line goes all the way from the front head light to the tail light on the passenger side. I wish they had come to me, I might have been able to solve their problem. Who knows maybe I get to replace a tire or head light before the season is over. As the RC, I expected something like this would happen. There is no way we can make everyone happy.
The concession stand was doing a booming business again this week. Last week we made over $300. This pays for the security officer and helps Wesley House and scholarship players. Gale stocked up and did not sell out of anything this week. Gail also did something I want everyone to know about. As you know the Region provides water, power-aid and a meal for our referees. Gail normally charges us for what the referees eat and drink. Well she ate the cost of the referees for last week. Thanks Gail and Benny.
There did not seem to be as many cars this week. I guess because of the cooler weather, folks went home instead of hanging out at the fields, or they car pooled. Parking was still tight but there were spaces to be found.
Something I forgot to say last week. Last week Abram Mcmahan played his first U8 game since his illness. It was good to see him back on the fields, and I understand he even scored a goal. Speaking of goals, I got to watch my grandson in U6 score his first goal. Last fall he was still playing air plane on the field.
No Patterson humor this week, I did have a coach/referee comment about the "little sinks not having a faucet".
All the games were covered by referees, thanks to Bill, Rick, Kerry, and Jason. Great job everyone. One of our youth referee's did have to stop a game in U10. Seems the parents were to vocal and the coaches would not get off the field, so the youth referee ended the game. The parents and coaches will learn that the referees (adult and youth) have control of the game. Bill Mize let me and Terry know. The U10 division coordinator may know but I did not see them at the time to tell them. I support what the youth referee did 110%. I am proud of him. I also had a report of a referee picking up a U12 player and giving him a yellow card. I had Rich look in to it and the referee did not pick up the player. He asked the player to stand up, and motioned with his hand for the player to get up. I guess from the parents view it looked like the referee had picked up the player. Some of us on the sidelines do not have the perfect view that we think we have. I am guilty of this sometimes. The player did get a yellow card, for coming in with his knee at the other players chest. I talked to the referee, and I know him well enough to know he is not that type. We did have a U8 referee that picked up a player last year and shook him a little. Even if it was his nephew this is not allowed. Referee's do not touch the players.
I did hear that the Wesley house team had a great game Saturday, and that the teams from Christenberry did a lot better and are having fun. Folks thats what we are all about, kids having fun. We also picked up a special U6 player Saturday. A couple that has 3 kids playing, became foster parents. DCS (Department of Child Services) approved of the child to play soccer. So next week he will start to have some good things happen to him. He will get to run, play and have fun like other kids. I did not ask or care what his situation was, only that he is playing and having fun.
Mike and Kim got everything out for the games, and put back up. Speaking of Kim, she is one of our "New U10 coaches" her team had a great day and one their first game. The new corner flags came in and Chris said he would replace the old ones with the new ones this week.
LifeTouch was taking U6 pictures down below field 2. They found a perfect spot in the second overflow lot. They borrowed some goals to use as a back drop.
The trash cans were full and over flowing, Chris said he will look at placement of the cans so they do not get over loaded. There was some trash on the U6 fields, but I think it blew out of some of the overfilled trash cans. There is a "crew" coming on Tuesday to empty the cans and get some community service hours.
They will also pick up around the fields, we will provide the trash bags.
We currently have 1424 kids playing soccer this season, we had 842 in the fall

All in all another great day for soccer, lets do it again next Saturday.

Thanks for all you do for the kids and Region 337.

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George
RC R337