Middle school soccer (7th grade for Keags) started out AWESOME. Keagan started the first 4 games and played nearly every minute of each of the game. He did so well and I was so proud of him and looking forward to watching him succeed and improve. Unfortunately, a bullying incident occurred early in the season in the locker room away from the (female) Coach's supervision and it essentially created the worst soccer season Keagan has had to date. Keagan was repeatedly punched by an 8th grader, he didn't tell me or anyone about it for nearly a week and then went to the Coach who got the principal involved. Only after other boys were called as witnesses and another parent called me about the incident was I made aware. To say I was livid is an understatement. There was hardly a punishment for the boy (he sat out one game that was only a jamboree game and didn't make a different in district placement) and I was promised no retribution on my kid from any of the other 8th graders. Long story short, the 8th graders ruled the practices and the line-up and the Coach did nothing about it and they told her that Keagan shouldn't play anymore. And, believe it or not, Keagan never set foot on the field again after the 4th game. Not even for a few seconds. After a couple games, Keagan went and talked to the coach. She told him that she was a 1st year coach and was trying a new line-up. Still zero play time. I finally became frustrated and requested a conference with her. I questioned his participation and behavior during practice, to which she said he was a great kid who worked hard. I encouraged her to remember the past games, that she played every other kid except Keagan and if he hadn't been acting up or being mouthy then he deserves play time. She gave me the same song and dance that she gave him. Keagan still did not get any play time. She benched my child for nothing, other than being intimidated by a group of bully 8th grade boys.
Fast forward. Keagan was invited with other 7th graders to play on the JV high school club team for a Sunday game. I told this high school coach what he had been through and he had heard. He assured me that Keagan was wanted and needed and would not be treated how he was this past season. He also gave the team (including the 8th grade boys from middle school soccer) a piece of his mind and explained that there would be no warnings and he didn't need them. Keagan played half of the game, "earned" himself a yellow card for good aggressive play (if you know, you know), and the coach contacted me after the game and told me what a great job Keags did. Prior to this, we had all but decided as a family that Keagan may need to consider hanging up his cleats.
Keagan has a renewed grit in his desire to prove himself, and has been practicing with the high school team since school got out. (and loving it) He has JV tryouts in a couple weeks - so we are praying that this is some relief in his soccer strife.
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| Keagan with the ball - first game of the season |
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| Keagan and Thatcher - 2024 beginning of spring soccer |
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| Keagan and Thatcher - 2023 beginning of spring soccer |
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