As a former coach with well over 30 years of experience helping young people learn to play soccer and learn life lessons on the field, I’ve seen some changes over the years. Equipment has gotten more expensive and fields have gotten nicer, but there are changes in the parents and the way things are run as well. Here’s my take on what I saw 30 years ago and what I’m seeing today.

Yesterday’s Sports Parents
They walked to their neighbor’s house, local school or the recreation department, if they had one, and waited for the meeting to begin. The host, usually a parent or department employee, would eventually start the meeting. The agenda, if they had one, would cover the program’s needs.

They were told their child could not play unless someone “volunteered” to coach that team. They were told the games could not be played unless someone “volunteered” to referee. They were told the league could not operate without some “volunteer” administrators to guide the program. Eventually, everyone who wanted their child involved would be given a job, from putting numbers on T-shirts to marking the fields.

Teams were made-up of the coach’s child and his/her classmates and friends. Practices were held within walking or bicycling distance of homes. There was one game played each week, always on Saturday, and within reasonable walking or driving distance.

Parents seldom attended practices and were often too busy to attend the Saturday games. When parents had an opportunity to watch a game they were exemplary spectators because:

They knew little about the game;
They knew the coach and referee personally; and
They did not want to embarrass themselves around their neighbors and friends.
Yesterday’s Sports Purpose: A stress-free community program to assure all children were given a chance to be with friends, be active and get a chance to play.

Today’s Sports Parents
They get behind the computer and search for teams within their child’s age group. They find out when that particular team will hold its tryouts. They drive to the sports complex and pay the registration fee so their child can be evaluated. They are told how they will be informed of the evaluation and wait at home for the results to arrive.

If the child is “cut,” they start searching for other team tryouts to attend.

If the child makes the team, they are asked to attend a Club/League/Team meeting with other parents whose child made it. They are asked to bring signed paperwork—birth certificates, medical release forms, code of conduct contracts and their checkbooks.

Usually, a paid coach is in charge of the tryout and player to team assignment. Practices are held at specified locations seldom within walking or bicycling distances. One can expect to play as many as four/five games per weekend (tournaments), sometimes at distances where the driving time is longer than the games played.

Parents are practically forced to attended practices and games to ensure that their child is giving and getting what they paid for. Many become emotionally involved in the game because:

They played the game and know it all;
They are spending their hard earned money to pay the coach;
They paid a fee to pay the referee; and
They are surrounded by strangers who don’t know the time/effort/money they have put into their child’s development.
Today’s Sports Purpose: A stressful individualized program to ensure that one’s child is playing with the best, will be recognized as one of the best and will eventually get a college scholarship!