Soccer season officially started in Pasadena last week with my kids’ first practices and games. And oh, it was so sweet and civilized, because I’m not coaching or ref’ing.
Nathan took Pippa to her practice last week, letting me stay home and relax with Julian. Then I took Julian to his practice, but instead of wrangling a mob of wild boys, I got to sit in my camping chair and talk with a friend while working on a cross stitch project. So relaxing!
On game day, I got to focus on my kids and not worry about crappy AYSO volunteering responsibilities. I sat in the shade on my camping chair with Nathan during both kids’ games and soaked up the fresh air. And best of all, I was not wearing a fluorescent yellow referee shirt or the shiny red coaching polo.
But then, I started thinking, Should I volunteer to make the team banner? And then, what if I need to referee again next year?
Ah, those intrusive anxious thoughts!
On the matter of the team banner, I told myself, I’m happy to donate money to the banner but I’m not wasting my time and creative energy on something unnecessary. I played AYSO soccer for many, many years and I do not remember a single team banner which means (a) my teams never had a banner and I lived to tell the tale or (b) we had team banners but they did not leave a lasting impression.
Once upon a time, an AYSO parent had the fun idea to make a banner for their kids’ soccer team. I hope that original banner involved a lot of felt and glitter and sequins. It was probably a really fun craft project. But now, at least in our league, the AYSO higher ups tout banners as a team necessity, and the whole business feels a bit competitive in the spirit of Keeping Up With the Joneses. My kids’ teams have never had a banner, and they have not been traumatized; so I’m not going to be guilted into making a banner just because other teams have one. Of course, if my inner muse was excited by the prospect of unleashing my crafty self on a team banner, that would be a different matter, but right now, my creative juices are flowing into the revision of my novel, blogging, podcasting, crochet and cross stitch.
I should note that two years ago, Pippa’s team was called the Silver Zebras, and I ordered an inflatable zebra from Amazon to be their team mascot. My kids named it Percy and Percy made me laugh. I think he’s still in the garage and one of these days, I should inflate him and leave him out while the kids are the sleeping.
On the matter of being a referee again next year, I told myself, That’s a year away! And if I don’t want to ref for AYSO again, then I do not have to ref for AYSO again. Those yellow florescent referee shirts really do not do my complexion any favors.
For now, I’m just going to savor the sweet joy of a civilized soccer season. Next season is far away, but I suspect that my AYSO volunteer days are in the past.
Though if anyone needs an inflatable zebra, I can hook you up.