Bob Sokolinsky, Southeast Recreation Commissioner, VYSA, Executive Director, Chesapeake United Soccer Club
Over the years, I have been very concerned about the safety of young soccer players. I have worked very hard to ensure that everyone, players and coaches were onboard with the rules of the game. The purpose of the rules of play is to allow the players a safe environment in which to play and have fun - an environment wherein the opportunity to be injured is kept to a minimum.
But, I would like to address another concern that also falls within the category of “KidSafe”. To start, allow me to ask this question. “While you watch your star player on the pitch, do you know where your other children are?” 99% of parents are responsible and dedicated to the health, safety, and growth of their children. However, I have discovered, it is very easy to lose sight of the other children during the match. The soccer environment is supposed to be a safe place for children. The fact is, dangers always lurk on the fringes. That plus the fact that parents don’t always have their other/younger children in view, quite frankly, scares the ‘hell’ out of me.
These are three incidents that have occurred where children were headed into danger. Thank God, I happened to be at the right place at the right time. Others have told similar stories, thus we must assume these are not isolated incidents.
1. At recent tournament I intercepted a pretty four-year old girl – alone and heading for the parking lot. She had a set of keys in her hand. When asked, she said she was going to her car. A tournament parking lot is very active. When asked about her parents, she pointed to a field some two-hundred yards away. I expected a mom or dad to be running up concerned for their missing daughter. Where was the parent?
2. At another tournament I intercepted a 5-year old boy. He was also alone and on a mission. When asked, he said, he was hungry and going to McDonalds. His parents were also some distance away. He, the 5-year old, was playing with his older brother who became bored and returned to the sideline leaving his younger brother to drift away. Soon, the mother did arrive. But, if I was not there, her son would have been across a busy street eating a burger before she realized he was missing.
3. On a recent Sunday afternoon, during league play, I noticed a number of boys and girls kicking a ball into an unused goal while games were played on two other fields. To my horror, I saw a boy had climbed to the top of the net - the same goal in which shots were being taken. When he saw me heading in his direction he hurried down, but his feet slipped through the netting and he fell face first to the ground. Fortunately, he was OK and ran to hide under a walk-bridge across the drainage ditch. I reminded him that there were snakes under the bridge, he emerged very scared. And, he should have been. There have been a number of serious injuries and fatalities with children and soccer goals. Fortunately, this goal was anchored with sand bags. But, where was the parent?
PLEASE, DO A BETTER JOB OF KNOWING WHERE YOU’RE ‘OTHER’ CHILDREN ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING!
