Kids Soccer has become the breeding grounds for crazed parents. Parents seem to lose their minds and every last ounce of dignity when the referee blows his whistle.

Frustration, agitation and the occasional burst blood vessel are common practices around the kids.

So what’s happening?

Has the game of soccer changed?

Last time I checked it was the same, can anyone here enlighten us?

Before you fly off the handle again, listen up. The slogan “money is the root of all evil” is usually thrown around in the corporate world amongst the big executives. At the end of the day, millions of dollars are at stake and the business to put it politely is cut throat.

Do you agree?

With the prodigious amounts of money involved, executives are faced with enormous pressures and the only time they get a break from issues is when they’re dealing with a crisis.

Can you see where I’m going with this?

Kids Soccer is no longer the friendly get together that allows parents to catch up on all the gossip. These days the kids are dragged kicking and screaming while the status quo waits silently, drooling like a vulture waiting for his prey to die.

Look into the eyes of the crazed soccer parent and tell me what you see? Is it the dollar signs? The allure of the dollar signs and the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood lifestyle can definitely bring out the worst in people.

I can’t find any better way to say this (profanity warning) but wake the fuck up.

They say money can’t buy you love. Hell, even the Beatles knew it back in the 60’s.

But here’s a thought,

Can Love buy you money?

Proceed with caution.

Kids play soccer because its fun. Not to win, make the coach happy or even the 3 points. They play because they want to have fun with their new friends.

As a soccer parent, can you meet their demands?

What’s that?

What about the money, fame and fortune?

Sigh, let’s address this shall we?

80% of kids will quit the game before they become teenagers. The 20% remaining will persist only to be confronted with new hurdles and obstacles. School, social status and the attraction to the opposite sex will eliminate a further 10%.

For those that make it this far the battle has only begun. Any youth player trying to crack senior soccer will get knocked down, beaten and excuse the French, you get your friggin arse kicked physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Survive this and congratulations are in order. You’ve become part of the 2% that will eventually play soccer at a professional level.

To say 2% is the minority would be an understatement. So what separates the 2% from the mass exodus that is Kids Soccer?

Gather around folks and listen because the answer has always been in front of you. Young superstars or even veterans of the game always pay tribute to their parents for their success.

“I’d like to thank my parents for the love and support they have given me throughout my career” as they quickly wipe away their tears.

Sound familiar?

What about the players that didn’t have parents?

They still pay tribute to someone. Love, Empathy and the Human Spirit isn’t limited or bounded by blood. Remember that, next time you see a kid that might need your help or a bit of love.

Who knows, you might be in the presence of greatness that will one day pay tribute to you, for the love, time and energy you blindly committed to them because you actually cared, not because of the money.

So the question is,

Can Love buy you money?

“May the winds of destiny blow you to the stars.”