What It's Like to be a CFA Player and Parent? (Part 1)

I have one football-playing son.

The kuya chose to pursue another endeavor.

And as a player, here is a bit of a backgrounder on how we arrived at this moment in time. What it's like to be a football player and a parent to a football player?

He.

Tried to be part of his school's football team in his second grade with his kuya. OUT OF THE BLUE. I found out when they reached home.

This boy wasn't picked to make the team. He simply followed the line where his kuya was asked to get into. Turns out there were two lines for the try-outs, one for those who made the cut and one was for those who were cut out.

It started with them playing in the District meet. A multi-sports tournament where most of the schools in the district battles for the right to represent the district. If one makes it, they play against other districts within the city. In this case, the City of Imus.

Then you become the City Champions and will represent your city for the provincial meet. In the next level, you will play against city champions. Expect the competition to be tougher, faster, bigger and stronger.

Let's pause for awhile.

Can you imagine the preparation this boy have to go through for every tournament he would be joining? As an athlete, if you are one, you have an idea I'm sure. Eat, sleep, practice. Repeat.

Year-round.

Wait up!

As for parents?

Logistics. Transportation. Schedule for studies and training. Family events. School events.

Personal preferences. Wants. Wishes.

Weekly club training on top of the twice-a-week school training.

And here goes a simple convo:

Player: "I want to go too..."

Parent: "But what about your game?  Or the other way around.

Parent: "You need to go with us"

Player: "But I have a game?!"

By the way, we're talking about the competition at the provincial level, so far.

Once you beat everyone in the Provincial Meet, you earn the right to play at the Regionals. In our case it's called CALABARZON Meet or formally known as DEPED Regional Sports Competition.

In the first three years, we would always be part of the Imus City Football Team for CALABARZON.

On his last year in grade school, Imus City were the Provincial Meet Champions then  selected a few players from other cities to form the One Cavite Team.

In the San Pablo City Regional Games 2018, One Cavite Elementary Football Team bested everyone to become champions and play in the Palarong Pambansa Vigan City 2018.

And the Palarong Pambansa level is probably one of the toughest tournament for anyone to play in,  ever!

The preparation for this level?

Players live in the same quarters for two to four weeks leading up to the tournament.

Parent visits? Allowed but not often.

Imagine.

Again, imagine.

And this is your scholastic football. Grassroots football.

(to be continued)...