Soccer

Rachael playing Goalie

 This was Rachael's first season of outside soccer.  I coached her along with a neighbor, whose daughter Zoe, is the same age.  I also am on the VAA Board, as the girls grades 3-4 Director, which keeps me VERY busy.  

Waving to Boppa after stopping the ball!

At the beginning of the season, Rachael was very passive and would avoid the ball.  As everyone else would run after it and run in a clump to get it, she would circle around the clump so she didn't have to touch it.  On the rare occasion that the ball popped out & came to her, she would run from it.  

Finally, one game we needed a game ball, so I grabbed Rachael's new red one.  All of a sudden, there was a new Rachael on the field!  Not only was she going after the ball, but she played goalie & was excellent!  I asked her after the game why the change, and she said because it was HER ball!

Her team was white, they named themselves the SNOW!

So, from there on, we made sure the game ball was always Rachael's.  She ended the season on such a great note.  She was defending, taking the ball away from the other team, passing to teammates, assisting on goals, and even scored her own goal!  She was so proud of herself, and has her trophy on the mantel for all to see. 

In only a couple weeks, Fall Soccer begins.  I am going to coach in a different age group, so we will see how she does without Mommy being the coach.  I've signed her up to be on some friends' teams, so I'm sure she will love it!