I grew up in a small town where we could barely field a Little League team, much less have an actual soccer league. From third to sixth grade, I played on different, somewhat organized teams that we’d stretch to call “recreational” today.

We played four 15-minute quarters on a full field. One year, I got angry because they gave me the MVP award, and I wanted the Best Offensive Player recognition for all the goals I’d scored. The last goal I ever scored in a competitive game happened there, a 60-yard shot that deflected off the back of my best friend.

At the start of one game, I plotted out my plan if I got the ball. I thought out each move I’d make to get around the defenders as they attacked, one by one. Then I prayed that I’d get sent the pass from the kickoff.

I did. I executed the plan flawlessly. And then, as the goalkeeper approached, I had a moment of panic. I hadn’t thought about what to do once I reached that point. I toe-punched that ball as hard as I could. It deflected off the keeper, hit both posts, and trickled across the line.

At halftime, the coach lectured the team about not being somewhere for me to get them a pass so that I had to score a goal. I thought avoiding mentioning that I wouldn’t have passed it anyway was a good idea.

Kyna blocked one of my shots on purpose because she was mad at me. Chris went in for a slide tackle but took out his dad, who was the game’s ref. Another Chris tried to save a tough shot, hit his head on the post, and couldn’t stop talking about bumblebees for the rest of the game.

These moments and more helped shape me as a player. Those opportunities became available because of the community, and that fact hasn’t changed wherever soccer is played.

How We Are Getting More Involved Outside of Soccer

Soccer wasn’t even my best sport. Growing up, I played center field with my speed and arm strength. I once hit the ball over the firehouse in sixth grade, and the opposing coach tried his best to call it a foul. I also hit one across the street in the same game. The high school coach came up to me after the last game and said to come find him the next season to do tryouts.

And I was the smart kid, not the athletic one.

In that small town, we all supported each other (and especially the kids) in the endeavors they wanted to pursue. It didn’t matter if it was outside of your comfort zone.

There were hiccups along the way. Mistakes are always part of any growth process. Maybe there were arguments or drama in the background, but I never saw that while I pushed for the next goal as a kid.

That’s the environment we’re building here at North Whidbey SC. Like my son will jokingly say, “Soccer is important, but other things are more importanter sometimes.” Here are a few of many examples.

Whidbey Royalty does some incredible things in our community. I’ve been privileged to speak with several local teens about everything from what it takes to get a first job to how to market your message so that it can be authentically heard.

The Oak Harbor Chamber is a tremendous resource for local business owners wanting to make an impact. As a board, we prioritize attending the monthly luncheons when our schedules allow. Our team supports local companies through purchases or advocacy to keep those dollars here whenever possible. I’ve also had the chance to talk about marketing and social media there, and it has been fun to see so many people putting their spin on different ideas to find success.

Dips Discs (Eric Dipzinski) hosts local PDGA frisbee golf tournaments, and we’ve been involved as a hole sponsor in honor of Archer (Sol) Beeman.

Most of this work from our leadership, down to each coach, is done on a volunteer basis.

Where Do We Go from Here?

I grew up with a simple personal motto: keep moving forward. Instead of dwelling on a mistake, learn the lessons from it and get better. That idea is something Beth and I have tried to instill in our kids and on our teams.

With many of us balancing full-time jobs, family schedules, and soccer responsibilities, some things are bound to fall through the cracks during the day. It happens to us all, even when we make every effort to not have that occur. However, we aren’t looking at those circumstances to use them as excuses.

Our goal is to build champions on and off the field. Part of that process means learning how to react to failure, just as it does to success. Acknowledge the issue, make it right if needed, and get back on track toward those goals. When our players see us learning from a mistake, they have an example they can use when something similar happens to them.

For me, when kids can practice their decision-making skills in safe environments, whether playing soccer or handling friendship conflicts, they become confident adults because they have the practical experience to evaluate situations.

Whether you’re from here, moved to be here, or just here for a spell because of orders, we are bound by the common ground of being here in our current hometown, if we allow it. Some may move and others might stay, but that is for tomorrow. Today, we can support the kids.

As another rec season starts, I look forward to the smiles, the cheers, and the emotional rollercoasters that this game we love brings. Thanks for being part of the journey.

– Graeme