“SCIPping” for Joy

Mackenzie Jordan

The air buzzed with a young energy on Friday, 2 October after school. Second through fifth grade boys and girls gathered Dalat’s upper field for a tournament against SCIPS.

“They all had so much energy,” commented Hannah Buhr (11). “It was refreshing to see so much excitement on the faces of all the little soccer players.”

            The event presented a welcomed opportunity for the Varsity soccer girls to coach and referee the games. Those with thicker skin decided they could face the sometimes terrifying task of making tough calls on the tiny second-graders.

"At times it was difficult to tell what team should have possession but we needed to have confidence in our decisions so that the games could be fair," said Chloe Castro (11).

Others took on the responsibility of keeping their team of mini-eagles as calm and organized as possible. The excited energy bottled within each player was, at times, difficult to handle.

The girls did their best to ensure that each player got time on the field, gave tips and encouragement, and cheered on their team. Parents from both schools turned up to support their miniature athletes and socialize with one another, and juniors also grasped the opportunity to make some extra cash selling drinks and freezies to the tired players.

            The tournament benefited both the students who played, and the older girls who received the chance to pass on some of the skills they had learned throughout their own soccer season.

 "Even though we didn't win any games, it was super fulfilling to coach the 4th and 5th grade girls. They were enthusiastic and had great team spirit and attitude," said Emma Hofer (12). She also reflected on the new appreciation they developed for their coach and others who referee professionally: "It was new for me to be put in a coaching position, so now I understand and appreciate more of what my own soccer coach and other coaches experience," said Hofer.

At the end of the day there were still smiles on their faces, and many of them continued to chase each other and practice their shooting skills, even after the games were done. There is a valuable lesson to learn from these vibrant, young athletes—they possessed such pure joy and excitement, simply because they got to play a few games of soccer. All of the participating students were still full of energy and enthusiasm by the end of the tournament, regardless of whether they had won or lost.