Soccer coaches teach more than winning

To the editor

By:
   I am writing to acknowledge the extra ordinary team of individuals who coach my son’s soccer team.
   Coaching is extremely difficult and sometimes less than rewarding. However, without parent volunteers, there would be no youth sports programs.
   Sometimes you get lucky and you are blessed with coaches who genuinely care about the kids and teach more than winning.
   And we’re fortunate enough to have those kinds of coaches on the Hillsborough Soccer Club Red Devils with Gene Domowicz, Al Fuchs, John Sefcik and Savvas Christodoulides. They base their coaching style on their own values such as dedication, teamwork and commitment.
   Dedication — Forget rain, sleet, or inconvenient schedules all four coaches are at every practice, every game, and every training camp. They give up their weekends and time-off to be with the boys.
   Caring — The coaches first and foremost care about the boy’s safety and health. Whenever a player misses a game for injury or illness the coach calls and follows-up because they care about the kids.
   Values — The coaches acknowledge that each child has a mix of skills and they motivate each child individually. They allow the kids to develop at their own pace, push those that respond to it, encourage with positive reinforcement and never embarrass or yell at our kids. But with the most amazing thing about the coaches is the way they have helped the ‘kids’ attitude. All the kids have a positive attitude, and a negative word is never said.
   Team Unity — Parents, Kids and Coaches. It dawned on me the other day how much fun I have at our game. We have full parent participation at home and away games, camps, and we all caravan to our away games. The coaches have brought the team together to include the parents, we are always positive and support our coaches.
   I remember my coaches growing up and everything I learned from them — because of our coaches I am confident my son will, too.
   I am very thankful my son joined the Hillsborough Red Devils with the coaching staff of Gene, John, Al and Savvas.
   So, coaches in addition to the traditional measurement of success, win/loss record (7-0-1) your record is already secure by the commendable accomplishments described here.
   I think I speak for all the parents when I say we are looking forward to many more years of dedication.

Greg Dickinson
Apple Hill Road