In previous years, soccer practices and soccer games dominated our lives for 8-10 weeks every spring and fall. It was always exciting for the soccer season to start but after weeks of crazy schedules, I found it a relief when the season finally came to an end. Still, we (especially Cade and I) have missed those days. We were unsuccessful in finding a soccer league last year in Macau so we've been anxious to find a league here in Hong Kong.
As luck would have it, our local soccer club,
the Hong Kong Dragons, meets weekly at the soccer pitch across the street from our building. Despite being mid-season, Cade jumped in and was super excited to join and play soccer again. Ian's a little more timid since his soccer experience is limited to a 1 year season of mom coaching his 5 year old team. He plans to officially join in January after watching Cade for a few months and finding a friend who also plays soccer.
The Hong Kong Dragons hold practices twice a week with very enthusiastic and experienced coaches, primarily from Australia and Europe (I love to listen to their different accents). The kids are from all parts of the world but speak English to some degree. During practice the kids are divided according to age and do a number of different exercises, drills, and mini games. Cade's learning to play soccer on hard-surface pitches where the ball rolls and bounces differently from grass. We found out that rain or shine, practice goes on. Only thunder and lightning or level 8 typhoon signals will cancel practice. Here's some pictures taken during practice in a downpour.
With a layer of water on the ground, it was perfect for sliding on their bellies after practice - the boys loved it.
If a kid practices twice a week, they're eligible to participate on Saturday. We mistakingly believed playing on Saturday meant an actual soccer game but it's just another fun practice. We soon learned that kids who practice twice a week, show commitment, and demonstrate good skill level, are invited to be a part of the team that plays in the Hong Kong Junior Football League where "real games" are played. After only a few weeks, Cade was invited to play with one of these teams.
For a couple of weeks, Cade and a few of his buddies played in tournaments with an older team. They played great and had a good time. For one of these tournaments, they played 3 games back-to-back. I was not able to go but Kyle sent me play-by-play text messages including this "Cade Gooooooooooooooal".
Now, Cade's on a U11 team that plays games weekly.
They play on artificial turf fields in different areas of Hong Kong.
As a natural left-footer, Cade usually takes the left wing position.
One of their first games together was on a beautiful sunny day. They played well together ending in a draw (2-2). As a spectator, I was enjoying the warmth of the sun, the smell of salt water, the sight of tall buildings on one side of the field and boats in the harbor on the other side (sorry no pictures of the harbor), and the sounds of kids playing soccer and having fun.
It was a perfect day for soccer!
We're so happy to have soccer back in our family schedule. Plus, we're glad it won't be jam packed into 8-10 weeks because soccer can be played all year long in Hong Kong.
