1st Annual Weston 3v3 Blast Soccer Tournament

Last weekend our entire FUTSOC soccer club participated in the 1st Annual Weston 3 v 3 Blast Soccer Tournament, at Regional Park in Weston. Entering teams as young as U6’s, U8’s, U10’s from our young Bambino’s Academy, our U12/13’s, our U16/17’s and our Open entry, the event was a fun-filled day, which gave many of our younger players their first experience at inter-club competition and for the older players another step in their development process.

While at FUTSOC we do not encourage competitive play at such a young age (Bambino’s U6’s, U8’s, U10’s), being that the event was in our city and we wanted to support activities of the AYSO Region 644, we felt it opportune to give them a chance to enjoy themselves in playing against other teams and the parents the opportunity to watch their children have fun! The results were not of any relevance, especially since we do not encourage that type of pressure on such young children, and furthermore, because the event was open to all levels of experience, where results could potentially and did, end up being one-sided! The boys played beautifully, experienced varying results, and ultimately deriving the result which we were seeking…simple fun!

In the U12/13 category, our boys, who are still very inexperienced, were divided into three balanced teams (rather than one strong team and two weak ones), so that all participants could play and have the opportunity to experience the 3 v 3 play concept, which is very demanding and requiring of much experience. Once again, we were not seeking the results, but rather the experience!

In the older categories, where the objectives are more competitive in nature, the desired results were clearly achieved, as both our U16/17’s reached the quarter-finals of their age bracket and one went on to the final match, losing a thriller to Weston FC (Beasts of Broward) 8::12. All our players on these two teams had fine matches and were very successful against excellent competition.

Lastly, our FUTSOC Open division team, comprised of long-time FUTSOC championship team players, also reached the final, losing only to an All-Star team on a highly debated series of missed calls, by the score of 4::5. However, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, we walked off most content with our superior performance demonstrated and the class, which is emblematic of all our FUTSOC teams.

It is most important that we reiterate the focus that we gave this event, considering most of the young player’s well-being, their enjoyment, the spirit of good sportsmanship and the experience of partaking in a tournament setting in our own “backyard”! If we adhere to this very significant model - and I urge all parents to do so in consonance with our club philosophy, the event was a great success, and many important lessons were derived from the same. Losing and winning are the simple result of competition and each imparts an important lesson to all involved. However, participation is the most significant aspect of this event and the messages which should be stressed are, that having fun, demonstrating a sporting conduct, enjoying the participation of the children and representing your club, your team and your family, are the objectives of this event! In this regard, the 1st Annual Weston 3 v 3 Blast was just that…a blast!!

GO FUTSOC!!

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