After a tentative start to his football days two years ago. Joshua finally decided last year he likes the game and in fact according to Dad’s weekly updates after his weekly training he is also getting rather good at it.
Thursdays are a super busy day for our household and a few months into his football training Joshua didn’t seem too bothered and we even discussed holding the training off and trying again when he was a bit older. However he soon found his stride and began to understand how to play and as each term has gone by his confidence in himself has blossomed.
Obviously Ollie is immensely pleased that he gets to watch his oldest son play the game in which he loves and can no longer play himself. For me however, Thursdays mean dealing with Jacob at home as training is now later in the afternoon and falls on Jacobs tea time so I haven’t seen him play in a few months.
The football coaching team have a presentation evening at the end of the 10 weeks programmes. On the 10th session the last 20 minutes of training stops and instead every single child gets a certificate and trophy for their attendance and effort for going to training every week. This was in part why we kept him going as that certificate and trophy really were his motivation and he genuinely loved getting his at the end.
There are also extra trophies and awards given out for things like best goal keeping improvement, effort and penalties. So Joshua tries even harder to see if he can gain an extra trophy or medal. Last time he got the goal keeping award as an extra and was thrilled.
This time after juggling tea time for Jacob before training I got come and see his receive his certificate and attendance trophy. Although poor Ollie ended up on the other side of the field chasing after Jacob who wasn’t interested in the presentation in the slightest.
At the presentation this time he only got his attendance trophy and I wondered if this would upset him as he can be super sensitive at the thought of not doing well enough.
I was so proud however that he never battered an eyelid at not having achieved another trophy. Instead of being upset like he would have been previously he told me how the boy who got one of the extra trophies had been a super player this time. It was the moment I realised that Joshua has grown so much this year at football.
Not only has his skill level improved but mentally he is now such a big lad and one that knows hard work and determination pay off even in others.
Well, done Joshua on a fantastic summer term at football and here’s to working hard for next terms awards.
Susan Mann says
Way to go Joshua. He looks so pleased and did so well. You must be so proud x