Dear Barbarians:
Oh, so sweet are the sounds of spring the sounds of new beginnings and yet, how could they signal the end? It is difficult to get to this point in the season and not start to feel a little melancholic. Being the veteran that I am of so many indoor campaigns you start to become hardened by it all and accept that it must be and so it is!
Similar feelings occurred while we attended the Regional Tournament in Downingtown, as we had some struggling for recognition and others more accepting, trying to move forward in light of their recognition. But in all of this I have found that it takes a deeper understanding to face adversity and to move beyond it, before it consumes you. While I found it to be unfortunate, through time and understanding I have learned that it is not as unfair or as conspiratorial as it all once seemed. Or, if there is a conspiracy that must be uncovered it is the age-old one of deceit or misdirection with the underlying of just that, a lie or an excuse. You see, some times we have a tendency to overstate the obvious and in so doing, consume those around us who are taken in by our every word. Some are so heavily involved in this game of vanity that they fall short in what they might have to offer us in sharing the knowledge they could impart on the game that has brought us all together in the first place. Layer upon layer upon layer upon layer upon layer, with no substance no real foundation!
Now many of you may think I am speaking about the economy and would be rightly served to know that you are entitled to your own thoughts on that matter. Suffice it to say it is as I so cleverly stated it earlier and yet I must wonder aloud, is this human nature? I have delved into this controversy continually throughout my entire adult life, to know what is human and what is nature, and remain without settlement yet at ease with the notion that I have confronted no one other than myself with this protestation. Ultimately, I suppose my realization is that it can be contended by both sides and will always lie certainly, between the yin and the yang.
April 2, 2007
Attending the Regional Tournament was undoubtedly a very proud moment in my life with The Barbarian Football Coalition if for no other reason than the fact that The Barbarians did so as a club with 5 teams in representation of our state organization. Of the 5 teams, 3 were able to make it to semi-final match play, where we felt strongly that we would be able to at least sneak 1 into the finals, or even perhaps two. Unfortunately that did not occur but for the second year in a row we were able to have 2 players named to the all-regional team for their perspective age groups! Something we should all take pride in knowing we are a part of. Thank you Micayla Livingston and Matt Henry for bringing that distinction to The Barbarian Football Coalition. We feel strongly that had we had greater success in our teams moving into the finals, we would have had even more players recognized for their ability to perform on the regional level.
Throughout the past few years I have observed the strides that individual players and teams make under our banner. Improvement is especially noticeable over the course of the latter part of the second half of the season, and for that reason I would have liked to have continued our training in futsal, but I am also a realist. It becomes very difficult to hold regularly scheduled training sessions as well as league matches once the hint of warm weather permeates our surroundings. It is made even more difficult when many do not acknowledge they will not be present for either and disregard our efforts or what we have explained to each of you as our position, through various newsletters. Over the years I have learned how to deal with many types of adversity and overcome them both in football and life. These are the guiding principals that allow us to state unequivocally, this is why we are who we are and they can never be. And in return, I only ask that the respect you are shown should be reciprocated and we are certain we have not disrespected anyone among you, on any level. We may not always get it right but our efforts are always in line firstly, of what the game demands, secondly what the club needs, thirdly what the team needs, and lastly what the individual needs, and we are honest in our approach and effort to raise the level of play in competitive football in our area, our region and nationally.
Many have benefited from those who came before them and set the standard that we now hold as our own. While I am certain The Barbarians will survive the tests that future holds for futsal in our area, I am just as certain quite a few of you will not be among us in the upcoming 2007-2008 season. We wish nothing but the best to each of you, and hope that we have had a positive impact on your overall soccer experience. There are other newsletters planned, which I intend to have out shortly. For each of you who are steeped in the competitive mode of classic, travel, or in-house soccer this spring, play each game with respect for team and opponent by leading in a positive way. You never know who is watching but know someone always is!
As usual, I will see you on the pitch.
David W. Sayles