Does it make anyone kind of sad?

[easoccer]

I started coaching when my son was 9. He's now in u18 and coached by someone else. This is not really my point, but along they way, when I was coaching I met many opposing coaches and players. I got to know them, even became friends with some. Most hung around until u16, then in u17 and u18 they disappeared. First in u17 around 2-3 dropped away, and now in u18 double that. Even when I stopped coaching and teams moved up or down I still followed their progress along the way. I look back on the games and conversations and feel a bit sad that my sons time is almost up in youth and the people I met along the way slowly fade to black.

Anyone else feel this way?

 

[Admin]

Get involved in the senior men's arena and continue the journey on there.

Way less politics too (not entirely gone but waaaayyyyy less)

 

[TKBC]

The number of kids that quit in the u16 and up years is very sad indeed.

 

[RRS]

I started coaching when my son was 9. He's now in u18 and coached by someone else. This is not really my point, but along they way, when I was coaching I met many opposing coaches and players. I got to know them, even became friends with some. Most hung around until u16, then in u17 and u18 they disappeared. First in u17 around 2-3 dropped away, and now in u18 double that. Even when I stopped coaching and teams moved up or down I still followed their progress along the way. I look back on the games and conversations and feel a bit sad that my sons time is almost up in youth and the people I met along the way slowly fade to black.

Anyone else feel this way?

Yep. THIS is a couple years old now, but pretty much expresses the same sentiment.