Well I drove Cory to the Celtics U8/U9 practice. Cory was very excited but he still managed to fall asleep for the 30 minute drive. He woke up a bit confused but got right to it when he saw the soccer ball.
This was probably the hardest practice Cory has ever been put through. The coach had them doing drills I had never seen before. Personally I think I would have given up but Cory tried hard at everything.
There was another little boy the same as Cory (6) that had practiced with the team before so knew how to do the drills. To be honest watching Cory struggle through a few of them I thought to myself that maybe he wasn’t as great a soccer player as everyone seemed to think he was. I don’t even think the Coach was very impressed.
Well that was until he started the scrimmage. Then everything changed. That was when the real Cory came right out and took control. He wasn’t by any means the strongest player but some of these kids were 3 years older than he is but he was definitely a factor. All the other little ones that were shining in the drills had a harder time keeping up… which is completely understandable. They were practicing with a Silver Elite team… that just went through to the finals with only 8 players on the roster the entire season.
I kept hearing this ruddy faced white-haired Irishman yelling out.. good Job Cory.. Good Job lad.. Cory’s a tiger.. Cory boy is very aggressive… Boys help Cory he can’t do it all by himself… After the practice was over the coach came to me and asked me again when Cory’s birthday was. March ##, 2001.. he’s a lefty? Yes he’s a lefty.. now i had gone over all of this before any of this started but I guess it was all settling in his head.. he then told me that he hasn’t really seen any 6 year old like Cory on the field.. He then corrected himself and said that he had seen it once before.. when he trained that oh so famous other soccer player that came out of our same Southern California town years ago.. He went on to say he wanted to keep working with Cory and that he would take care of him. That he would help him develop and learn.
He asked if Cory would play in a tournament in a few weeks… Then he explained that if I agreed Cory would play on his U9 team in the Fall with the older boys and that he would stay there for the next couple of years until the other kids his age catch up. I guess the standing rule is to not play the kids up but to keep them at their own age level. He did concede though that he would look at that more depending on Cory’s development. As long as Cory is challenged and keeps growing.. and most of all.. as long as Cory is happy.. I’m ok…
Cory was thrilled after practice.. he was very sure that his legs were made of Jello. I was waiting for him to say he didn’t want to do it again.. but no not Cory he just wanted more.. he asked if he could come back tomorrow. No more practices until after the new year.. that didn’t make him so happy..
I’m going to follow Cory’s lead with all of this. If he says he doesn’t want to do it anymore then he will finish up his commitment and then we stop.. but I’m not seeing that happen anytime soon.. 
Oh Val’s club is offering two days of training after the holidays.. well guess what we will be doing..
Ok so I’ve mulled it over. I’ve done my research.. I’ve made the phone calls. The most important thing is I’ve talked to Cory. He wants to try out for two teams. Both are very strong and I think he could learn in both situations. One is a bit closer than the other but I’m willing to do the drive for either. I’ve spoken to a variety of people that know about this kind of stuff. They all agree that as long as Cory wants to do it and I make sure to tell him that no matter what happens there is always a next time everything should be fine..
I’m crossing my fingers.
Well I took Cory to see a team today to see how he would feel about trying out. He was quite excited about the whole thing. I am a bit nervous. The kids are bigger than he is beign that they are up to 3 years older but as far as the skill on the game and the drive I believe he can totally hang with them.
He wants to try so I am going to support him. The coach seemed very relaxed. I appreciated his style and how he handled the boys.
Cory’s father is concerned that he is going to burn out. I’m worried about that too but at the same time I don’t want to hold him back.
We’ll see what happens…
Oh I found this article about supporting a child athlete. Thought it had the common sense points that are nice to be reminded of every once in a while
My 6 year old (Cory) was invited to do some clinics with my 8 year old’s (Valerie) club team. The trainer who handles these clinics travels and trains a variety on clubs in our area and is also a highly ranked individual for the ODP. Well he spoke to my husband and strongly recommended that we have my son go out for one of the top club teams in the area and to do it now.
This is when my mother instinct gets all confused.. I don’t want to push him too hard he is ONLY 6 but at the same time he loves the game so much and wants to learn. I want to do the right thing for him..
I’m sure anyone reading this is thinking I’m crazy but I just don’t want to make the wrong decision… I’ll do my research and see what happens.. but this is where I don’t want to be that freak parent who thinks there kid is the best but at the same time want to give my kid everything I can.
Cory was watching the Man City v Wigan game and asked what he had to do to play on a team like those..
I told him keep practicing and showing your coaches and everyone else how much you love it and keep learning etc. etc.
His response.. wouldn’t it be easier if I just went to the stadium and showed them that I am good..
I responded: ”If my way doesn’t work.. we’ll try your’s..” he smiled and said “Sounds like a plan”
