Youth football
IUp until one year ago I was very involved in youth football. It was something I did for 11 years.
My three older children all played football. Two of them playing girls football.
I have to say I have played football all my life and loved it, but at no point did I encourage any of them to play.
My eldest girl started and I used to spend Sunday’s travelling around the local area to watch her and the other two would come along too. It was brilliant to watch her compete on a football pitch and she definitly had a talent. She was named player of the year the first year.
As an added bonus I also got to spend Sunday’s with all three of my children.
When my next daughter was in her final year of primary school she was named footballer of the year and as it happens Sam Warburton the current Welsh rugby union captain presented her with the trophy because he had gone to the same school.
The one ability she had which you cannot teach was to score goals and her aim every season was to be golden boot, which is something she has achieved every season.
She represented Wales at U12 which made me very proud of her.
The one thing that never ceased to amaze me was that she never realised how good she was.
The amount of trophies and awards she has won I have to say is immense and a fantastic achievement.
I had so much pleasure helping to run her team and watch her terrorise defences.
My son was the last to start playing football and he was one of the most complete defenders I have ever watched. He read the game so well and he was also named player of the year one season.
Unfortunaly he quit when he was around 14/15 years of age. I always thought what a waste, but you cannot force them to do something they don’t want to do.
My second daughter has gone on to play senior football and after her first season won golden boot amazing achievement.
She is now first choice striker for her team and has just been called up for the Welsh squad at the age of 17 which is truly amazing.
There are a lot of benefits in children participating in sport. It’s healtly and gives them a good competive edge in life. It also widens their circle of friends beyond just their school friends.
I believe sport kept them all on the straight and narrow and out of trouble and as a father i think it is always right to support your children, but not push them in their chosen sport or activity.
