Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:33:35 -0400
From: A Dennison
Subject: Proud to be a Northwood Parent
The most outstanding thing I witnessed on Saturday at the North Johnston high school soccer jamboree was the display of team spirit and good sportsmanship demonstrated by the young men of the Northwood Varsity Boys Soccer Team throughout the day. Even down to sincerely thanking the folks who provided the refreshments between games and picking up their garbage!!!!
Northwood won all three matches, against 4A West Johnston, 3A Fike and 3A Hunt. Awesome outing for the new year. (By the way, Goalie Zac Scott holds onto a beautiful zero against all opponents thanks to resilient teamwork and some clever saves.)
But, what I want you all to know is the class our kids displayed. It was a long day. The Northwood bus left at 7 am and didn’t return until almost 12 hours later. The games were spaced during the day. Under the leadership of Coaches Frazier and Morrow, through the last whistle of the last game (which was a rough, tough game) the team maintained composure, played the game, and stayed actively involved cheering on their team – even ignoring and actually humoring the jeers from the hosting team, who was sitting directly behind the Northwood team in the bleachers and attempting to ridicule the cheering Northwood parents and players while loudly cheering for the opposing team. A great example of terrible sportsmanship – with their coaches sitting right next to them. It was clear that they knew their conduct was unacceptable because they were joking about whether or not the coaches would make them run laps for it.
Our coaches kept the kids focused and ready to play all day. For the half of the team that didn’t see playing time, they were fantastic supporters. It is sometimes harder to sit the bench than play the game, but they supported the Coaches and the players, got water for their teammates, and did us all proud. Hats off to the Coaches and the team leaders for providing the leadership and enthusiasm for the game that kept everyone on track throughout the day.
Sometimes folks grumble about all that is asked of Northwood parents in working with coaches and teams. Go to one of these events and you’ll see the payback. I witnessed a woman with disabilities trying to balance a pop up tent on her walker as she made her way down a pinestraw-covered slope to the field. She had two very young children with her. She was a local North or West Johnston supporter. I did not see a single person offer to help her – except me. None of her older son’s teammates’ parents offered, as they walked by and said hello. Later, after the tent was set up, the two young children were trying to move it closer to the bleachers. With assistance from a Northwood parent, they moved it AROUND the Johnston crowd and over the bleachers for her to sit in the shade. Of course all the bleacher parents who looked on as the two young children struggled to move the tent were very happy to have the shade provided for them. Urg. Also, another group of parents were happy to avail themselves of my tent and chair (annoying) while I wasn’t using it. I was witness to the worst racial anti-hispanic rant I have EVER heard – by two moms with some of the soccer team players. The worst part was how wrong most of their information is. So, when I said I was moving my tent, they said, ok, just move it around us. I said ‘thank you.’ Urg again.
So, there was this atmosphere that the other parents were there to be served, sort of. No, I didn’t have interaction with every parent or team there but I had enough time all day long within 6 feet of some groups to draw the strong contrasts between our team family and theirs.
Every Northwood parent who was there offered help to the team and the coaches. We had about a dozen diehards (like me) there. Honestly, we were a small and very noisy group, and I did not hear a single unsportsmanlike or offensive comment from the lot of us. I believe that the involvement by parents supporting Northwood teams and the respect that Coaches Frazier and Morrow show the parents is seen and absorbed by our kids. And on days like Saturday, it brings out the best in them.
So, parents, keep it up. We’re doing something right and it clearly showed on Saturday. Again, great respect goes out to Coaches Frazier and Morrow for a first class all around showing. Soccer is not a dainty sport, and Northwood is a team determined to win. Saturday was a very good day.
Now, y’all come out and support Northwood Soccer!
Angel Dennison, a proud Northwood parent
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