July 9--Soccer Breaks Out

Today, we played soccer. It was Soccerfest, a wonderful AYSO tradition where the teams are scrambled and the kids play 2 short games with new teammates before the competition begins. We pitched our canopy at the team formation site and the somewhat chaotic process created 10 teams, all given new, and in some cases, garish uniforms. Ginger served as our head coach today, and I think she had fun trying to learn everyone's name, create lineups and substitution patterns and generally keep track of the craziness. This also gave me a chance to walk around and watch our players perform with their talented new teammates. I saw some great stuff, and I think that the girls not only made new friends, but got new confidence in their ability to compete. The only person in our group to score a goal today, though, was Adam, playing in the U19 division. And Katharine and I, and most of the girls, were there to see it and cheer him on, in appreciation for all that he has been doing--and will continue to do this week.

We have continued to be friends with the girls from Diamond Head, who have hung out with us under our canopy and around the fields.

It was a hot day, and we made sure the girls drank plenty of water and applied lots of sunscreen.

After Adam's last game, we cleared our area and rushed back to the hotel for a quick change and turnaround to the Hawaiian Waters water park for the "Youth Event". The place was packed, and some of the girls had a blast in the wave pool and on the other rides. Others were less impressed, but it was fun seeing the new Soccerfest friends, and, of course, the Diamond Head girls.

We got back about 10, because we have a game at 9:15 tomorrow. Considering the terrible Honolulu traffic, we will be leaving for the fields at 7:15. Our first game is against our Diamond Head buddies, and we play at 2:15 against Central Torrance.

Our girls have great spirit and think that they can win tomorrow, and I refuse to disagree. But I have told them that I will only be disappointed in them if they don't give a great effort. What happens in the game is less important than them knowing that they did their best.