The difference in the way girls and boys viewed practices and games was very interesting to me. The boys were always more focused and interested in going after their opponents than the girls. The girls were more interested in how they looked, if their hair ties were just right and clumping together giggling over something or nothing. Sometimes it took two blows of the whistle to get their attention and start them on their drills. Once they got going it was easy to see how talented they were. Maggie was petite but had a very strong leg. She was given the job of corner kicks, clearing kicks and if it worked out right, penalty kicks. She wasn't the most talented girl on the team but she was my star, in private.
I started coaching Justin's teams when they were a bit older, around the 10-12 age range. I continued until the boys made junior varsity. I didn't last as long with the girls. Maggie had switched to basketball and was very good at it.
Justin's team rosters changed from season to season but the core members remained the same and I formed a deep attachment to them.
Justin was a very good, versatile player. He played goalie for a while, then midfielder, then wing; usually left wing as he was naturally left footed. When a player reaches the front line they are often referred to as garbage men because they take passes from other players and turn them into goals. He was a passionate player giving it his all like he did with everything in life. His fellow team members were just as focused on their games which led to many successful seasons and trophies.
It was difficult balancing work, coaching and attending Brandon's soccer games and Maggie's basketball games but something I would have never missed for the world.
Looking back, those were the best years of my life.
Justin is #9
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