Paul Spacey
SILVER ELITE
I’ve said it a hundred times. Do not put the level/pathway/connections/league/trophies/jersey etc etc above the wellbeing of your kid.Couldn't agree more, sadly a majority of parents do not exercise that right by putting their children first.
Even from a perspective as a "consumer" we need to flex our strength and spend our money where the product is good all around and stop accepting the excuse of "It is what it is..."
Before joining any team or soccer program, go and watch a coach ‘coaching’. Watch closely and listen to him/her interacting with players. If you can, talk to players/parents who are currently being coached by that person and have previously been coached by that person. Maybe even cut.
If you do all of that and the signs are good, you’ve done your due diligence and the likelihood is that your son or daughter will be in solid hands.
Finally, repeat the above due diligence at regular intervals. People can (and do) change over time. As people (and especially as coaches) we need to understand that we are constantly being assessed; that’s how we improve. Any coach who isn’t comfortable being put under the microscope a little, maybe isn’t right for your son or daughter.