New Football Season - New Start - New Team - New Manager/Coach

Despite Brandon and his Hashtag team having an amazing season last year by winning their division, Brandon has decided on a new start for 21/22 year. It come as some what a surprise to me when about 2 months ago he said he had friends at Academy Soccer (an arch rival to Hashtag who we have played many times) and they had invited him to train. 

After a few training sessions with Academy they offered Brandon a position on their team but with a change in position from his old right back to a holding midfielder position. Brandon was really up for the challenge and excited for the new opportunity and as a parent I felt he was old enough and mature enough to make the decision himself. Obviously as a parent and coach I laid out what I thought were the pros and cons for him staying at Hashtag or moving to Academy, but ultimately it was his decision.

It is a huge change for both me and Brandon as we have both been at Forest Glade/Hashtag since he was under 5's. For the first time in 8+ years I am now no longer Brandon's football coach and thus it is as much a change for me becoming a parent on the sideline now. Although it is early days I think Brandon has made a good decision. The level of discipline and the intensity of training at Academy is definitely a level up and will only make Brandon a better footballer. He is worried that he isn't good enough for his new team and will be fighting for a place in the starting line-up, so lets see if he can rise to the occasion.

New beginnings for Brandon as Nr 17 holding midfielder for Academy Soccer.

Warming up with his new team.

Brandon has got to prove himself yet at Academy and earn his place on the team.

But I am sure he is up to the challenge.

Brandon's new team, Academy Soccer, in their bright green kit showing respect for the Queen with a minutes silence before their first game of the season.