The first day of Aus Kick. An experience Noel has been looking forward to for years. That first time when his son picks up the footy on a field with a coach and fellow team mates.... Only it didn't go as we had all hoped.
I'm not going to lie, I had a pretty good idea that today would go the way it did. Zac being the sensitive little soul that he is, does NOT enjoy trying new things, with new people at new places. Does he enjoy kicking a footy in the street after school?? YES... Does he enjoy kicking the ball around at school with his little friends?? YES!!! But put him in a new environment with people he doesn't know and tell him he has to play footy??? The walls of resistance go straight up.
We've been talking about starting footy for months now and Zac has not shown interest or excitement at all. He usually gets upset and tells us he doesn't want to do it. But Noel really wanted him to give it a go, I suspect in the hopes that his boys would love playing as much as he always did. That he would one day stand on the sidelines calling out tips and cheering every time a good kick, pass or goal occured.
A couple of days ago we took Zac to pick up his footy uniform (Geelong of course) and new footy boots. He was actually over the moon about getting his new boots and had been wearing them around the house since we brought them home.
But this morning when it came time to get dressed and put those brand new clothes on..... the tears started. Zac hated the shorts, he didn't want to go, he hated the sock, hates footy... the list went on.
We got in the car and the tears continued the whole way there. And they continued once we arrived as well. Noel and I, feeling stressed, anxious and just wanting Zac to have a good time, began to get snappy at each other. Seb started crying because he wasn't allowed to join in, Zac was crying because he didn't want to join in. It was all a bit of a nightmare.
To be honest, I wouldn't have cared if we said no footy when Zac showed no signs of interest. But I can also understand Noel wanting to give it a shot. So we persisted. One little girl from Zac's prep class (Brooklyn) showed up. I was so relieved thinking that maybe, just maybe she might boost his confidence a little. He walked over with her to the start of the line where the kids were about to do some drills of bouncing the ball and weaving in and out of poles. But when it came time for his turn, he carried the ball with an unhappy look on his face, all the way to the end where he then threw it with all his might at one of the coaches before storming back to us. I couldn't help it, I burst out laughing. It was so sad but extremely funny at the same time.
Anyhow, we kind of gave up trying after that moment. Noel and Zac kicked the footy between them for 10 minutes before we decided to just head home early.
I have no idea what will happen next week. Whether we encourage Zac to give it another go, transfer him to Emerald where his friend Ryan is doing Aus Kick or scrap it all together and see if we can transfer his membership to Seb who seems more than willing to jump in and play. I guess time will tell.
Zac, if you're reading this one day... just know that I don't care what sport/hobby you decide to do as long as you're happy. I'm sorry today wasn't a great experience for you but hopefully when you're a bit older you won't mind trying new things and playing footy. Even if it is just with your friends at school rather than on a team. I think after this season has finished we might try something new. You sounded pretty interested in BMX riding when I mentioned it earlier so maybe we try that next. Love you buddy.
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