Had a blast at the Rapid FC vs AFC Toronto match today.

More importantly, my eldest had a blast hooting and hollaring along the goal line as Rapid scored both of their goals in clear view. I think I've successfully created a fan.

If anyone out there is watching via TSN and could get a screenshot of section N for me, that would be fantastic! We're in the front row.

Heading to the first home match for Rapid FC today in Ottawa for their very first #NSL match at home.

It's been a long time since I've attended anything other than youth soccer (over a decade if you exclude the one WNT match I saw in Hamilton a couple of years back).

More importantly, this will be my eldest's first pro-level match. He's been bragging to his classmates all week, so we can't wait to get to our seats!

Alidou's hat trick headlines 7-goal thumping as Canadian women top Taiwan to win Pinatar Cup

https://lemmy.ca/post/39731655

I just realized that there's likely folk here that aren't aware of Lemmy, the fediverse's replacement for Reddit ( Canadian Instance: lemmy.ca) .

For those here on cansoccer.social, you may also be interested in participating/posting/growing the Canada Soccer community there.

Hop right into the discussion & help build it here: https://lemmy.ca/c/canadasoccer

@ophiolite It's far too early for that kind of title, but thanks for the vote of confidence!

Until I get through the "practical" training for Active Start/FUNdamentals/Learn-to-Train (at $300+ each), and get back on the field coaching, I don't think I've earned it yet.

This was a great way to end National Coaches' Week, but now I miss coaching even more.

I took advantage of two of #NCCP's free courses this past week, but it's not the same as developing kids' soccer skills on the field.

I'll need to look around and see which grassroots & rec-league clubs are in my area for the new year, as I'm pretty sure I've neither the funds nor experience to launch my own thing (yet).

Lots to consider...

This past weekend, I brought my coaching kit to a nearby park and set it up for my kids to do a small obstacle course. Then, I finished off the course with a #soccer ball and net.

Within seconds of setting up the net, four other kids joined in and took shots. After 5-10 minutes of warming up, I cracked out some bibs and a 3v3 (& eventually 5v5) mini-match was in full swing.

All I did was supply the equipment, set it up, and encourage the kids to #JustPlay.

It is National Coaches' Week!

I want to extend a #ThanksCoach to all the wonderful coaches with whom I've worked.

Being a kids' coach is extremely hard work and requires a special kind of dedication.

If you're out there coaching, I'd like to extend an extra thank you to you as well!

Have a great National Coaches' Week!

Although I'm not coaching #soccer at the moment, that doesn't mean I've stopped learning.

I just finished a trio of courses on Intercultural Skills in Sport, which is currently offered at no cost through the NCCP.

It'd be a good series for any Canadian coach who isn't well-versed in #Indigenous issues and the #TruthAndReconciliation report.

With Coach's week coming up in mid-September, I'll need to consider which club to join to finish my #CanadaSoccer grassroots coach training. #NextSteps

Just finished up my 3rd set of kids' #soccer cards (2024 edition).

This year, I drew my design inspiration from the #TimbitsSoccer ball, which is red & white. I also limited myself to a single card for either kid and a club card.

They turned out pretty good. A laser printer would make them a lot sharper, but the size & thickness are good. No residual stickiness either. I think I have a decent method to use moving forward.

The cutting/trimming could use work, but it's pretty good overall!

One of my next challenges is to figure out an easier way to remove a busy background from a photo, leaving the person isolated so they can be placed on any "fun" background.

Once I figure that out, I can take my sports-card design work to a new level and have real fun with it.

Figuring out a way to calculate stats or ratings meaningfully would be fun too. Imagine Match Attax or FUT-style cards for your kids' or rec league.

For the 2024 cards, I've been playing around with the design quite a bit.

I'm not satisfied yet, as there's zero reason for yellow to continue to be on the card.

My kids have switched from #GSSC to Ottawa Internationals, so the old colour scheme doesn't apply anymore.

I finally finished my kids' #soccer cards from 2023.

It was my 3rd attempt, after 2 different versions in 2022.

Whenever I tackle these, I make a few improvements and learn how to improve them.

In 2023, I used dual card-stock pieces, sprayed them with acrylic, and then glued them with spray adhesive.

For 2024 though, I'll leave the cutting until after they've been glued, as the reverse leaves exposed (& sticky) edges.

A colour laser would greatly improve print quality too...

@AhTheGreg That's something I should look into, although most local groups use volunteer coaches.

I think I'd need to finish my Active Start/Fundamentals/Learn-to-Train certifications too (which I couldn't do previously because I was working 7 days a week, at completely random hours).

Needing to be home on weekdays (to tend to my kids), is another hurdle I'd need to overcome somehow.

It's something to look into though!

Recently, I severed my connection with #LittleKickers.

While my time coaching in #GreaterSudbury, was amazing, the group in #Ottawa was problematic (at best). I won't get into many details, but I cannot stand behind the local program & its ownership.

Ever since leaving, I feel pretty lost. Much of my identity is tied to being a coach (and later, coach manager), and now I'm back at zero.

I still love #soccer, but coaching is soured to me now (and I need a paid job).

What to do?

Only a couple weeks before #moving. It's been a super quick pack up, but it's coming along. We get our keys on Friday, but we won't be heading down until after Easter.

I'm definitely going to miss the kids that I coach at #LittleKickers here in Sudbury. With any luck, I'll be able to take it up again in Ottawa.

The first offer letter has arrived, and my spouse has verbally accepted. My spouse's interview for this position was yesterday, and apparently, they had to fight to not offer the job during the interview.

Looks like we're heading back to #Ottawa.

Let's go Atletico! :atletico_ottawa:

#moving

Why are the accounts being transferred?

Well, it looks like I have another move on the horizon. I'll be departing #GreaterSudbury for an unknown location as a result of my spouse's work closing all their microbiology departments outside of #Toronto.

My spouse had 4 interviews this past week, and we're waiting on her offer letters so we can figure out our destination.

So far, we've narrowed it down to the non-GTHA area of Southern Ontario. Hopefully, we'll have more details soon.

#moving

I just realized that I've been doing so much extra work on @GoGSCyclones various sites and accounts, with the official ones launching this week, that I've completely ignored my personal accounts.

As the handling of those accounts is being transferred soon, I feel like I really need to get back to cultivating my own.