Ryder's First Soccer GAME

After his fabulous first practice last week, on Saturday, Ryder took the field as a Blueberry for the very first time. He volunteered to play Goalie for the first period, so there he was, watching the goal like a hawk.

We later learned that the goal was a good place for Ryder to be, because he didn't seem to have much interest in running up an down the field, preferring instead to watch the ball roll by him and the kids run along after it (while he just stood there taking it all in). He wasn't big on hussling down the field, or on kicking the ball at all. He mostly just kind of stood there, watching all the action the other kids were getting.

Now, this IS his first time playing soccer, and he IS a year younger than most of the other players, and I DO think he will eventually warm up to the idea of playing, but my was it painful to watch!

By the end of the game Ryder was so checked-out that he actually laid down in the middle of the field and pretended he was sleeping. Meanwhile the rest of the team continued with the game as if he wasn't there.

Here's to hoping that the game this coming weekend finds Ryder playing with a little more OMPH!