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The Relationship between Sports and Relationships

By Joe Ulm

I received a call earlier this week from someone I coached with nearly fifteen years ago.  We became friends through coaching, and our friendship remained strong for years after our time coaching together had passed.  When a new job took him across the country, we talked less and less until many years passed since our last conversation.  There was never an issue between us – life just seemed to pile up the years.  When I hung up the phone an hour after his recent call, I found myself smiling because even after so many years, our friendship was mostly unchanged.  It hadn’t diminished at all – it had just become less frequent.     

 

I didn’t play soccer growing up – my passion for soccer came later in life.  Soccer has since become my favorite sport, but growing up, it was football.  I played middle linebacker and through my high school years, I lined up play after play next to the other middle linebacker, Treg.  Treg and I ran in different social circles back then, but through our time on the field, we developed a unique bond.  Although we never became close friends, the bond was evident whenever we ran across each other through our college years, and even into our twenties. It’s probably been 20 years since I last spoke to Treg, but I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that the bond still exists.  It certainly does for me.

 

I see these same bonds and friendships being built between our players at PSU; the way they work together at practice, their communication during games, and how certain players always find themselves next to each other on the sidelines.  I see it with our parents, too.  Sideline conversations foster an invite to a cookout or a birthday party which fosters another invite.  Soon, entire families have become friends.

 

The narratives we hear in youth sports often revolve around the best way our kids can develop sport-specific skills, what team or organization wins the most, or the many ways youth sports could be better.  These are important and valuable narratives, and they should continue.  However, of the many values youth sports provide, the ones that last beyond our playing careers are the most valuable.  And of those, the relationships we develop through our playing careers may be at the top of the list. 

 

Stay United, everyone.

 

street soccer

In our Street Soccer program, players have the opportunity to create their own teams, make their own calls, and unconsciously develop their technical and tactical awareness–all while expressing themselves with the ball at their feet. We believe players should be able to manage themselves and have the freedom to play, interact, problem-solve, innovate, and take ownership of their participation in the game. Teams are created the day of to promote diversity, and games are played without referees to reinforce positive conflict resolution techniques. Our I-Mentor coaches will supervise each field making sure that players and facilities are safe while maintaining a fun and challenging environment.

PSU’s Street Soccer is open to all 9U to 19U players. Our Old School Street Soccer is open to any parent, soccer coach, and their significant others. Bring the whole family!

Sign up required for waiver completion. But then just lace up and show up!

 

Fall Details

  • Fridays: September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8
  • Time: 5:00 – 6:30 pm
  • Location: Pewaukee Sports Complex

Rules

  • Games are 7 minutes long
  • Players must play within their age range
  • Sliding or going to ground is not allowed
  • There is no offsides, but all other soccer rules apply
  • There are no referees – players call their own fouls
  • Profanity of any kind is not allowed

Important Information

  • Games will be played by gender (girls vs. girls / boys vs. boys) whenever possible.
  • Players may be required to wear provided pennies (pinnies are washed in between sessions).
  • Cleats, shin guards, socks (covering the shin guards) shorts, and shirts are required.
  • Players may be asked to conform to specific guidelines (using hand-sanitizer, etc.) to support the safest possible environment for everyone.
  • Teams may be adjusted by PSU team members multiple times during each session, including during games.
  • Players are expected to play with great sportsmanship and consideration for their fellow players at all times.
  • PSU reserves the right to disallow the participation of a player (or players) in PSU’s Street Soccer program for any reason. Players who are disallowed from play may not participate in future Summer Street Soccer sessions.
  • Participants are highly encouraged to check the website for the field status prior to traveling to participate.
  • Signed waiver is required.
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