Hartford, Conn. Part 2
While I love to travel internationally on behalf of Around the Worlds, holding programs close to home reminds me that economic, social, and political hardship can happen anywhere.
We were just wrapping up six weeks of full programming in Hartford, Conn., which is just 20 minutes from my home in Connecticut. These programs were of course fun, but were also a time to grow on and off the field, both for the coaches and participants. With each passing session I felt more confident in our return to programming and in my ability as a coach, as I spent the past few weeks drawing inspiration from the rest of the Hartford Lions Soccer Academy coaching staff. In fact, several of their drills are now incorporated into our Around the Worlds overseas programs, which emphasizes my goal of collaboration not competition.
As the six weeks came and went, the kids were not ready to say goodbye and truthfully, I don’t think the coaches were ready either. On the final day, HLSA planned a massive event for the final Sunday of programming– a weekend jamboree.
The day focused on soccer, but it was a community driven initiative, for the community, by the community.
There were local vendors tabling around the field, spreading their own messages while supporting the kids at our program. Also, there was tons of food for the participants and families who came out to support. The event featured more than just soccer and included many field day games like potato sack races, cornhole, etc. often featuring parent-child teams.
However, the entire event culminated with a parents versus kids soccer game, where the emcee wagered no chores for a week if the kids won. The kids pulled off the upset! The six weeks of training really paid off for the participants, but for the adults, not so much!
Every child received a signed certificate to signify their completion of the program. They each got a moment to have their name called and have a moment in the spotlight. At the end, Kenniel from HLSA surprised me with a special plaque, symbolizing our partnership and the resources we provided for their beneficiaries. I was shocked!
After the games and presentation had ended, I was exhausted, but as usual, the kids were just getting warmed up. For them, it was clear that the highlight of the event was the bouncy house set up on the field. Every kid waited patiently for their turn, a clear display of the importance of community. Older kids helped the younger ones navigate the bouncy castle, easing their fears and showing them the ropes. This is an example of leadership beyond the field, which we strive to teach our participants.
“The kids, they’ve been stuck in the house all day for months. These afternoons, these sessions… they give them something to look forward to. We’re thankful,” one parent shared with me. Thank you to the Hartford community and HLSA for welcoming me with open arms and inspiring me to finish out 2020 strong!
