Kate Matthison came home from school one day and proclaimed that she and her friends wanted to play soccer this summer. Her dad was a bit shocked – and more than a little skeptical. He’d tried to get his daughter interested in soccer a few times, as his son had played the game competitively for years. But it hadn’t been for her. But now?
“I got her and a bunch of friends to join the ‘She’s got Goals’ indoor program with Nor’West Soccer to see if they were really interested, and the girls really liked it,” said Greg Matthison. “Now, they’re playing Byron Soccer for the summer, and it’s been a great experience.”
That goes for the kids and Greg alike, who signed up to be the coach of Kate’s U8 team. The league they play in has four Byron teams, and they play each other on Saturdays – with a weekly practice on Thursday nights. The girls have learned a lot. So, too, has Greg.
“After coaching competitive boys soccer for many years, I’ve found that some girls experience the game differently. Boys soccer is really focused on development and the technical side of the game. The girls enjoy learning about the game, and they enjoy the social element,” says Greg, who has coached for eight years and continues to play the game himself at the masters level. “I have learned a lot as a coach, including that sometimes to keep their attention, letting them do cartwheels and handstands goes a long way,” he said with a laugh.
Greg, who is a past board member of the Elgin Middlesex District Soccer League and has managed multiple men’s masters team for a decade, is impressed with the Byron Soccer program, and he thinks it’s been a great experience for everyone.
“Practice plans are provided, which is great, and the fields are always set up for games and practices ahead of time. It’s also a great location. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Contributions by Greg Matthison
