From a general perspective, U6-U11 programs are not about winning; it’s about providing opportunities for children to develop as soccer players while having fun in balanced, fair competition. Our programs focus on teaching solid skills as our players progress through the age divisions, all the while engaging them with the essence of soccer -- FUN.

That said, it’s natural for players at all ages to want to compete. The role of House League coaches and coordinators in this regard is to manage the competition so that it’s balanced and fair. After a game in House League, players from both teams should feel that they were given a fair chance to participate, and that their team had a fair chance of winning, whether they did or not.

Occasionally, games in U6-U11 may still produce lopsided results, depending on player illnesses or absences, despite early season efforts to balance teams.  Whatever the reason and whatever the outcome, coaches and parents are always encouraged to use "wins" and "losses" as opportunities to teach their players about the larger aspects of sportsmanship, character and perseverance in sport. Whatever happens, soccer is still just a game -- there will always be more games, and games are meant to be FUN.

As coaches and parents, the verbal and non-verbal messages we give our players can have a profound effect on how they feel about themselves, and subsequently, how effectively they develop in soccer and sport in general. Bays United asks coaches and parents to carefully consider their speech and conduct at all times around their young players. Keep it positive, keep it upbeat, and your children will not only participate in soccer and sport longer, they may even win some medals and trophies one day in the future!  Fun can be a driver for achievement -- just ask any Brazilian soccer player.