Dear Barbarians:
Well, we are now poised at the start of another season with great hopes and aspirations for all of the members of the 2006-2007 Barbarian Football Coalition. Last weekend we had four teams compete in The Riverhounds Annual 4V4 Tournament, and must take a moment to acknowledge the participants and standings, to provide you with a glimpse of what may be a projection of things to come. Of course, each of our teams were entered in competitive brackets, with U9 and U10 players receiving Participation Awards and U11 and U12 playing for First and Second Place Medals. Our U9B were 3-1, U10B, 2-2, U10G were 3-1, and the U11B finished in Second Place with a record of 3-1!
U9B: Jamie Beiriger, RJ Heaps, Austin Kreutzberger, Joe Merlino, Matt Rytel, and Austin Sige.
U10B: Chad Ayers, Justin Beiriger, Darien Clark, Stuart Curry, Kevin Fitchwell, and Aaron Shula.
U10G: Kiersten Bradnam, Kyra Dugan, Mahalath Klorczyk, Paige Pristas, Micayla Livingston, and Morgan Vensel.
U11B: Vincent Barone, Kyle Baum, Sebastien Carreau, Zach Lakenan, Tyler Novotny, and Grant Pastor.
Congratulations to each of you for a fine effort under some very adversarial conditions! We were a little disappointed that because of the conditions our skill could not carry us as far as it will with indoor. We apologize to those parents who were unaware that this tournament was an outdoor tournament!
One thing about new beginnings in a competitive environment is that it gives everyone the opportunity to set the tone and have input as to the make-up of our teams. What we strive for is simple: consistency and continuity in attitude, effort, and style of play. Our goals are simple and remain from start to finish year-in-and-year-out that we will improve individually and collectively from week-to-week. We are not worried about winning and losing games as much as we are concerned with our players’ abilities to perform at a level of consistency, whereby we can see the creativity that football demands of its participants. We profess that the greatest creativity comes through players who show confidence in their teammate’s abilities as well as in their own, when they move without the ball at their feet to create space, and when every player accepts the premise that this sport is a passing game in which we do so to maintain possession of the ball as a team!
For some it is a difficult concept to grasp while for others doing so is what gives truer meaning to the game’s original name of association football. What we know about Town V Town, 15V15, 11V11, also applies to 5V5, or futsal because that has been the natural progression of the sport outside of Rugby and the Grid Iron game. So now that you have no clear understanding of what was just stated remember this, the game is not always about the player with the ball at their feet; most times it is about the players that are away from the ball who are more dangerous, especially if they go unmarked and have communication as a part of their skill.
Now, for those of you who are new members of The Barbarian Football Coalition, (or have been here for more time than you care to admit), if you read the last paragraph carefully you will know what it is we look for from players when we are making selections for teams in league play and who will continue to make the cut in this competitive environment. We are certain that this approach gives us the consistency and continuity we seek outright, and may also help you in future trials if you seek a higher level of play.
We extend an invitation to all to come and watch any of The Barbarian Teams play, not just your own. When you have an open evening here or there, it is nice to have families come and cheer for our teams but we ask that you refrain from calling the players by name or distracting them in any way during match play. For those who are reserves, it is not necessary to attend games but we appreciate and welcome that type of attitude on your part. One thing for those of you who do venture out during an un-appointed game time, make sure you have your kit with you just in case the opportunity presents itself for you to play! You just never know what opportunity might avail it self to you.
As we move forward, it is imperative that everyone remains patient and not panic at the first sign that things might not be going the way you thought they would. Every thing takes time. Worrying about anything does not get done what needs to be done, and if you worry over something that is trivial it will keep us from getting to what matters: the development of a shared confidence in ones ability to handle adversity and remain viable to the greater good of the community, family or otherwise. You are here so you do not have to worry about every little detail but if it is something that you feel needs to be addressed everyone should feel free to bring it to my attention, sooner rather than later.
On another note, I will be carrying the temporary uniforms with me all weekend and will make sure that you have it if you are in attendance at any of your scheduled matches or training sessions. If you would care to, please make certain you have a pair of white socks, black shorts, a white, and black T-shirt with you, just in case. I am often reminded that the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray, but don’t quote me on that!
As usual, I will see you on the pitch,
David W. Sayles