Had a blast at the Rapid FC vs AFC Toronto match today.

More importantly, my eldest had a blast hooting and hollaring along the goal line as Rapid scored both of their goals in clear view. I think I've successfully created a fan.

Heading to the first home match for Rapid FC today in Ottawa for their very first #NSL match at home.

It's been a long time since I've attended anything other than youth soccer (over a decade if you exclude the one WNT match I saw in Hamilton a couple of years back).

More importantly, this will be my eldest's first pro-level match. He's been bragging to his classmates all week, so we can't wait to get to our seats!

I just realized that there's likely folk here that aren't aware of Lemmy, the fediverse's replacement for Reddit ( Canadian Instance: lemmy.ca) .

For those here on cansoccer.social, you may also be interested in participating/posting/growing the Canada Soccer community there.

Hop right into the discussion & help build it here: https://lemmy.ca/c/canadasoccer

This past weekend, I brought my coaching kit to a nearby park and set it up for my kids to do a small obstacle course. Then, I finished off the course with a #soccer ball and net.

Within seconds of setting up the net, four other kids joined in and took shots. After 5-10 minutes of warming up, I cracked out some bibs and a 3v3 (& eventually 5v5) mini-match was in full swing.

All I did was supply the equipment, set it up, and encourage the kids to #JustPlay.

It is National Coaches' Week!

I want to extend a #ThanksCoach to all the wonderful coaches with whom I've worked.

Being a kids' coach is extremely hard work and requires a special kind of dedication.

If you're out there coaching, I'd like to extend an extra thank you to you as well!

Have a great National Coaches' Week!

Although I'm not coaching #soccer at the moment, that doesn't mean I've stopped learning.

I just finished a trio of courses on Intercultural Skills in Sport, which is currently offered at no cost through the NCCP.

It'd be a good series for any Canadian coach who isn't well-versed in #Indigenous issues and the #TruthAndReconciliation report.

With Coach's week coming up in mid-September, I'll need to consider which club to join to finish my #CanadaSoccer grassroots coach training. #NextSteps

Just finished up my 3rd set of kids' #soccer cards (2024 edition).

This year, I drew my design inspiration from the #TimbitsSoccer ball, which is red & white. I also limited myself to a single card for either kid and a club card.

They turned out pretty good. A laser printer would make them a lot sharper, but the size & thickness are good. No residual stickiness either. I think I have a decent method to use moving forward.

The cutting/trimming could use work, but it's pretty good overall!