I remember jumping over the wired fence to get to the soccer field that was heavily guarded by the silver spoon faculty. We had no business in these schools but the grass did certainly look greener on their side.
Many would argue trespassing, but we didn’t care!
It would be a crime not to use their beautiful facilities. It was a Catholic Private School located around the corner but it was Wembley to us.
When I was 4 years old the backyard was my domain. By the age of 7 we ruled the school grounds and the homemade tracksuits ruled the suburbs.
By the age of 12 my body was developing nicely and I was ready for competition. I made my senior debut at the age of 16 against Adelaide City and remember it like it was yesterday. Played professional and semi-professional for 15 years, represented my State on several tours of Asia and state of origin and was lucky enough to trial with Southampton FC.
But lets talk about you for a minute.
There may be a voice in your head that is ready to announce that you can’t possibly do what I’m describing. You don’t have what it takes. You don’t have the strength, skills or genetics. You’re not gifted enough or you haven’t trained enough.
But ask yourself this; you can’t- or you don’t want to?
Big difference!
I’ll accept the second answer but not the first.
Have you committed to the game?
It’s possible that it appears too risky or too hard but give it a go.
Always try and please yourself as a player first. If you try and please coaches, parents, supporters and even critics, you’re looking for excuses. Why you didn’t do this or that.
Soccer should be spent trying to perform and not trying to please the hecklers.
“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”
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