I haven't written one of these in years......you can tell by my cover photo (lol)....but this is too much of a rant for Facebook......and if I don't write it down it's going to continue to make my heart ache with regret....
I should have said something.
I should have been their voice.
I should have said enough.
I showed up early for a pickup soccer game the other night.....I sat at the Hab in
"the usual spot" and behind me was a young group of
cheerleaders having practice. You know, one of those practices
when even You leave saying "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8"...
I watched the group of girls finish their routine and was impressed with
their agility and teamwork.....
As they all took their final "pose" the Coach stood up and began to yell.
I hardly noticed the coaches.....they were all bundled up in blankets, sitting
in front of the girls as they practiced their routine.....but as she began to yell at these
girls I couldn't look away.
She started with the usual "this isn't good enough" routine
but as they came over to get a quick water
break she took it to a whole new level.
"WHO DID THAT?? WHO FARTED?? IT SMELLS LIKE ASS......THAT'S AWFUL...
WHOEVER IT IS YOU NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM RIGHT NOW....
I AM SERIOUS, WHO DID THAT? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
I should have said something.
I should have been their voice.
I should have said enough.
I was in shock.....she then proceeded to make the entire team
go to the bathroom since the guilty party didn't step forward.
At this point I ask the mom closest to me how old these girls
are and she says "10, 11 and 12."
I played Division 1 soccer and my 1st year of college my coach was awful...
a yeller....Napolean complex.....he would chew Tums during the games
and yell so much it looked like he was foaming at the mouth
He made me not want to step on the field because I was afraid to make a mistake.
You know what this terrible coach never did??
Tell me when and why I had to go to the bathroom.....
I should have said something.
I should have been their voice.
I should have said enough.
As the girls were taking their mandatory bathroom break
the coach's then turned to the parents and talked AT them
about how what just happened wasn't good enough....including
saying things like "we'll we will never win if ______ can't get her ass off the floor"
I waited for someone to say something.....for one of these mothers/grandmothers
to grab their beautiful little baby and say "enough".....but no one budged...
the girls came skipping back from the bathroom and got into formation....
but before they could begin their routine again there was more badgering....
A young, 20-something, chubby, little blonde sitting with the coaches took a
break from looking at her phone to share how "9 years ago when I was in
your position this lack of effort was unacceptable"....."I came here tonight
to watch but I can't even watch you do this anymore."
Now after being "motivated" by their coaches for what was the better part of 20 minutes
the girls were asked to "do it again or you will never go to Disney".....
Needless to say their routine lost the energy and effort I had seen in the beginning.
This time as the coach began to question "what is your problem....is it too much to ask..."
A Mom closest to me muttered to herself......"I think they are tired, cold and hungry."
I should have said something.
I should have been their voice.
I should have said enough.
Practice continued with much of the same.....and then it was time for my game.
I never said anything.....why??
Maybe the acceptance for this behavior from the parents on the sideline kept me
in my seat....I regret it and it has been making my heart ache for these young girls.
None of my babies were on that field but what those coach's were doing,
and the way those girls were being treated was not okay!!
I don't play soccer at the Hab anymore.....I was just there to
"check out" the league for some high school alumni and catch
up with some old friends....I WILL be there next week.....
I will say something
I will be their voice
I will say "enough"
