Soccer

Hailey is playing soccer again this fall season.  We have had a little trouble here finding the right team for her.  She is a little advanced for her age and when we lived in MA, her last team she played on was a U10 girls travel team.  She was 7 yrs old and was playing with 8 and 9 year olds.

This spring when we first moved to TN, we signed her up for the Jackson County Soccer League.  We did have her playing with the older teams but still it was not up to her skill level.  We of course had her finish the season and would look for a new team for the fall season.

We have found the USCSC, which is a soccer complex here over in Cookeville which is the closest city.  Not too far, about 25 minutes away.  She is now on a team there that is a U10 team and is playing with kids her age.  Unfortunately her skills are still above her team mates.  The coaches are also made up of parent volunteers and sometimes that doesn't include a coach that knows too much about soccer.

Hailey ready for her 1st game at USCSC

Thankfully one of Drew's football coaches also coaches a U12 soccer team for the Y over in Cookeville.  His son plays on the team and suggested we bring Hailey over to see and participate in a practice. We went ahead and tried a practice with them last Friday and it worked out perfect. All the kids are older than her.  Most are 10 & 11, but match her speed and skill level.  She will be playing co-ed with 3 girls and 9 boys.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of learning for Hailey to do with her favorite sport.  We are just happy we have found a team that will challenge her and be able to teach her new skills as she develops within the sport.  Also I love that this team is competitive.  Yes, sports are about having fun and learning but I also believe sports are about winning if your on a team sport.  Nobody wants to lose all the time.

Hailey has told us she would like to try to play for both teams.  We are going to try but may have to cut out the U10 team if the schedules don't work out. Hopefully she will stick with this team for a few years.  Now we just need to find out if this team also plays in the spring.