"Coach Casey, why do we have to play when it is cold outside?"

"Coach Casey, why do we have to play when it is so cold outside?"  
"Well Katelyn, we play when its cold because it is fun and you can run around and get warm!"
"Okay, I can do that."

U-9 Kosmos-Pandora checking in with the referee

This "spring" season has been brutal, and I know I can speak for many that we cannot wait for it to get warm.  Coaching my first u-9 team has had its challenges but the one challenge I was not prepared for, is the terrible weather we have been having.  Working with
a group of fifteen 8 year old kids, in 40degree weather and endless wind, is not a great environment for them (or me haha) but I have to say, this group is resilient. 

Other than the occasional "my hands are freezing" and "I can't open my gatorade" these kids never complain.  They seem perfectly happy to just play.  I am so impressed that they have the ability to put the weather aside and make the best of practice time.  These kids are already becoming leaders of the future.  They have a healthy level of competition with an amazing positive attitude.   We lost a tough game Sunday 2-1, and instead of sulking, they got tremendous joy out of making a tunnel for the opposing team and singing "2-4-6-8 who do we appreciate."  When I was a kid, I only liked to sing that song when I was victorious.   I took being a sore loser to a new level, my own parents would draw straws about who had to drive me home if I lost hahah.  Sorry Mom & Dad!  

Each week I am amazed at what these kids teach me and by the end of the season I won't be surprised if I learn more from them, then they do from me.  Hopefully the 3 days a week they spend with me brings them  fun times in the fresh air, and a greater understanding of the sport we all love to play.