Setting out for the two-hour drive from Wallingford to Mechanicsburg on Saturday August 7, I began to think I may have instructed over five hundred coaching courses for US Soccer and the state association. I have taught in over twenty states and the British Virgin Islands and usually look forward to each new opportunity to be a lead instructor.
The 7V7 Grassroot’s course was being held at Hampden Township Park. The Park has four soccer fields, a beautiful outdoor pool, tennis courts and a vast playground. I was to meet my student coaches at a pavilion near one of the soccer fields. Normally, we start off in a classroom, but I would be providing the power point slide deck in a pavilion a few feet away from the field we would be using for the play-practice -play portion of the course. I set up my computer and was pleasantly surprised to find the outlets in the pavilion were working. There were six picnic tables in the pavilion. Gary Stephenson the Director of Soccer Development, JT Dorsey our Grassroots Soccer Coordinator and Sue Barr a member of our coaching staff were also present. This was a unique course because we were working with the coaches and members of the Masjid Al Nur Mosque in Mechanicsburg. I was to teach the men and Sue would teach the women at a nearby location.
As 4:00 PM approached I noticed about 16 young men approach the pavilion. They reached out and introduced themselves to me with a smile and a warm handshake. They happily adjusted the picnic tables to get a better view of my computer. I told them a little about my experience and began my presentation. It was clear to me this was probably their first organized course, though many may have played at various levels in their homelands. I explained the simplicity of Grassroots coaching and a rapport seemed to develop after about ten minutes.
The coaches of Masjid Al Nur told me a little about their club. They have six travel teams and try to utilize the park for training. Often, only one field is available for the six teams. They do not have a recreation program but plan on creating one in the future.
I discussed the clubs surrounding Philadelphia and they were taken aback when I provided information about the cost to play and the abundance of paid coaches.
The presentation was going well, short discussions were frequent and thought provoking. At one point one of the younger coaches raised his hand and upon calling on him he replied, “Coach will we be having a break soon. It is almost time for us to pray.”
I said, “Let’s stop now.” They asked me to finish my thoughts. I watched them slowly gather in line facing the northeast. They began ASR salah (late afternoon prayer) standing with hands open by their head, lowering their arms, bow and prostrate themselves on the grass. They chanted quiet praises to Allah and returned to the pavilion.
The ASR was not done as a chore or obligation but in a sense of unity and commitment to Allah. I thought about my Catholic upbringing and my failure to see the power of prayer and a personal connection that would grow through adulthood.
Walking to the field the coaches were enthusiastic and anxious to follow the scripted plan presented to them. They had eight young players from the club as we went through our session on defending. Six different coaches went through the session. Play was fun, competitive and a learning experience for each player. Smiles and shouts of “great goal’ or numerous comments directed to the players for effort made the defending session go fast. Posing questions during breaks the players were quick to answer the guided discovery questions. Photos were taken of the action on the field and later presented on social media.
I told them I would be back in a few weeks to do the 11V11 course and they all expressed an interest to attend and even go for their D License later.
Every coach thanked me and assisted with taking the equipment to my car. I was asked to stay for dinner at the mosque but wanted to get back on the road. While walking a coach told me he played in Turkey and suggested I should visit Turkey one day and make sure I get to Istanbul. He talked of the incredible culture of the Turkish people but told me how much he loved living in the United States and especially in Mechanicsburg.
“The United States is so great because there are so many opportunities and a rich diversity of people. I am happy I am living here.” There was a huge smile on his face.
The drive home was filled with positive thoughts about soccer, our country and the commitment of Eastern Pennsylvania and our outreach program. Turning on satellite radio I was pleased to hear the Phillies won their seventh straight game. It was a wonderful and enlightening day!
