Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Why Futbol at Foster Tugs at My Heart

Welcome back. You belong here.

Last year, I helped direct Fútbol at Foster, an 8-week soccer league for 4th grade mostly Latino boys and girls (about 20 of them) at EL Foster Elementary School in Arvada, CO (more here).

Today at school, as it happens almost every week, a boy asked me "when does the soccer league start again?" I'm not sure I can help this year as I've got to find a job and figure out life.

I read on a blog on urban development that the worst thing leaders and directors do is start things and then leave. The youth and children are the ones that usually suffer. I can see that happening with Fútbol at Foster.

I didn't grow up playing soccer, I'm not a soccer coach, I don't really know much about the sport except as a fan. But when I was 9 years old, a coach gave me a chance to be a part of his team for one afternoon and kick a soccer ball into the goal during one of his practices. I felt so special. This is how these children must feel.

I know that if I help with Fútbol at Foster, it will be a huge success. All the parts are in place and the excitement is high, in fact, it will probably be better, more teams, more games, a greater impact.

Even though I don't know what I will do this Spring, or if I will direct the soccer league, I can tell you that Fútbol at Foster is tugging at my heart strings. In fact, it makes me cry every time I think about it. We'll see what happens.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidTrig