Supporting the Soccerblues

It’s just a game, but a lot of fun and one that teaches important lessons

BY SHERYL DIXIT

Spread out, spread out!

Watch the ball!

Come on, go!

Get closer, get closer…

Good kick!

Awww!

Nice try!

Well done!

Yes, it’s a football match. And if you think we’re watching the FIFA World Cup, well, you could be right. Because the game’s as important to this bunch of Under 6s Kookaburras, playing their Saturday morning game against another group of little people, as the World Cup is to die-hard fans of the Socceroos.

We’re all rooting for our little stars, all us proud parents yelling at the sidelines as our young team in blue run around the field attempting (or in the case of my son, avoiding) getting close to the ball. There are cries of encouragement, instructions, commendations, that sometimes makes it hard for the little tykes to concentrate on the game. But it’s all a part of the game, and despite their score often matching that of the Socceroos debut game against Germany, we are all immensely proud of them.

They kick, dribble, defend with enthusiasm, and during the ride back home I am treated to splendorous fiction of goals scored and kicks to the other end of the field

My son is a part of this seven-sided football team, including an extremely talented young girl. When faced with an activity in which he could participate on starting school, football seemed a good alternative to tennis, karate or nothing at all. He was also very interested in the sport, and the studded boots in particular held a charming fascination, which exists to this day. He seems taller and prouder in those shoes which have got grimier and more worn over the past couple of months. The ankle and shin guards were an unexpected bonus, and when worn on the arm, are a fair substitute for superhero armoury.

We religiously go to training on Thursdays, battling the chilly winter air, while the team runs around with the nonchalance of a summertime play. For the most part they follow the instructions of our amazingly patient and encouraging coach and assistant coach, occasionally taking time out to have a little private scuffle in the sidelines. They kick, dribble, defend with enthusiasm, and during the ride back home I am treated to splendorous fiction of goals scored and kicks to the other end of the field. Which strangely, still need to manifest into reality when the actual games are played on Saturdays.

Aah, those Saturday games! Despite my efforts of leaving the house well in time, I am yet to make it to a match at the stipulated half an hour before kick-off. Perhaps unfairly, I blame it on the concept of Indian Standard Time, which dictates that one is expected to arrive at your destination a minimum of ten minutes too late. What takes the longest and a good bit of effort is pulling on the socks and tying up the shoes, a technique that I am just about beginning to master. I remember our first training session where I gazed at the shinguards and boots in mystification, until one of the mums explained the intricacies of how they go onto my impatient son’s feet.

Once we get to the venue and the jerseys are on, our young heroes line up for an invigorating chat with the coach and then they’re off on the field. It’s the best sight to see them gravely shake hands with the other team, a bunch of tykes not much taller than them, also clad in oversized jerseys and shorts that look like they could fall off any minute. The referee blows his whistle and they’re off!

This is the part that I most enjoy, the game itself. Both teams run around the field with enthusiasm, getting into little scrimmages, kicking the ball in all directions, occasionally manoeuvring the ball towards their own goal and causing the coaches to have several nervous moments. And there are the families on the sidelines, with parents, grandparents and siblings sometimes yelling out instructions that drown out even the more rational ones by the coaches. Players are called off the field to replace others, and everyone gets a chance no matter how adept they are at the game.

And what is most heartening are the little scenes of camaraderie that we see, in teammates hugging each other after scoring a goal. Or a fallen player being given a hand up by a team member who’s much littler in size. Or of a player being gently manoeuvred to face the right direction by a team mate, through the simple expedient of jersey tugging. Or one little boy advising another who’s retired hurt, that it could be worse, he could have broken a leg! There are so many of these incidents too numerous to recount which remind me once again, that children have the innocence and wisdom of life that as adults, it takes us years to relearn.

And finally, at the end of the game, it’s the moment of glory our young stars are waiting for – awarding of the Trophy. This is awarded to the best player or the one who’s tried the hardest, as the case may be. The team gathers around the coach, their faces alight with anticipation, and when the winner is announced, the winner’s look of triumph, satisfaction and sometimes disbelief, is one of the best things about the game. They are surrounded by their teammates, parents and spectators, and are heartily and sincerely congratulated. There’s no doubt that the trophy will dominate their lives for the rest of the week, and provide a proud topic for ‘News’ at school.

I have to say here, that while the children show enthusiasm, it’s the parents that also make the difference. They are involved, supportive and enthusiastic, not just towards their own children, but to every child on the team. Each child who comes off the field is given an encouraging chat and pat and at the end of the game, they are all commended for their effort. Even the coach and assistant coach who have watched with despair as a player looks at the ball slowly gliding past him straight into the goal, do no more than make a couple of agitated noises. The children are always instructed, never reprimanded, which to me is a sound technique as it keeps them enthusiastic about the game.

At a young age, these children are learning a lot –about playing as a team, being comrades, sportsmanship, game strategy, getting physical exercise, and most important of all, having fun. And so are we!

Little kicks, little kicks…

That’s it, go!

C’mon, kick!

Turn around, turn around!

Goal!

Yay, hooray!

Well done!

Great job!

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