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Jason played soccer with his own team, the SSA (Syracuse Soccer Academy) Pythons, for the first time yesterday. It was a non-league Thanksgiving tournament at the Syracuse Indoor Sports Center and he played very well, especially considering that due to his own illness, bad weather, and illness in the family of one of his coaches, he hadn't touched a soccer ball in almost two weeks.

The great thing for him was that, like the first time I saw him practice with this team, he fit right in and had at least two assists and several credible shots on goal. And, while there are still things that he needs to work on, that's true of everyone on the team and he's now working with a coaching staff that will help him to do that.

Overall, the kids won 4 out of the 5 games they played, only coming up short in the championship where they were beaten in a rematch with a team that they'd previously won against. While not quite the ending they'd hoped for, he was happy with the team and the way he'd played individually.

Needless to say, we're really looking forward to him regaining his eligibility at the end of this indoor session in January so that he can play full time, as well as practice, with this group of kids.

LPK
LiveJournal
12.01.2013
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Tonight was Jason's very first practice with his new SSA soccer team. We came in under a bit of a cloud because the head of his former program, who has been angrily defensive about the deficiencies of his program, threatened to pull out a little-used NYS Junior Soccer Association rule to prevent Jason from playing this winter. (But of course, he'll tell you, he's all about the kids.)

I had discussed this possibility with Jason on the way in and we had decided that, even if there were a 12-month suspension, he would do the twice-weekly training at SSA and just pick up whatever non-league games were available until his eligibility was restored. But no less than 3 SSA coaches and 2 managers came over to discuss the situation within minutes of our arrival and assured us of their help and support.

As for Jason, he TOTALLY meshed with his new teammates and instantly looked like he belonged on the field with them. And, as we had hoped, the practice was very dynamic and totally intense with none of the stops and starts and inattention and "tom-foolery" that was all too typical of his former team.

So, yeah, I think we're finally where we belong. Fees are paid, uniforms ordered, and we're definitely looking forward to our first game this coming Saturday...

LPK
LiveJournal
10.30.2013

Made It!

Oct. 28th, 2013 12:08 pm
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This morning, we received a congratulatory email from the manager of the SSA youth soccer program. As I had surmised from my conversation with the U11 boys coach following Jason's tryout, he's been offered a roster position on the SSA Pythons U11 soccer team.

Jason was, of course, ecstatic so now it falls to me to get the financial and scheduling details and give notice to the management at CNYFSC. In some respects, I think this change may be more difficult for me than it is for him because I've come to genuinely like the parents and coaches whom we've gotten to know over the past year.

Anyway, it's something that I now have to handle and I intend to do it in the most responsible and diplomatic way possible. Sometimes a grandparent just has to put on his/her sports management hat and get it done. Wish me luck!

LPK
LiveJournal
10.28.2013 

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