10 years ago a friend came up to me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of a soccer league in Clarkston. I was hesitant but said sure! Four teams were formed and off we went. My very first practice I pulled my quad and couldn’t play the first game. We weren’t flashy, heck we weren’t even that good but we were out there sweating on a full field in July, playing 11 v 11 and playing 45 minute halves.
We got exercise, we laughed and we made new friends. That first summer we learned how to play as a team and it wasn’t easy. Winter came and we took our teams to Oakland Yard in Waterford for indoor soccer. The indoor game took some time to adjust too. The game is played 8 people a side, goalies can’t punt and we could not do throw ins, we had to kick in the ball but not above the knee. The field was faster indoor. My team won the very first league championship that winter and we all got tee shirts. It is amazing how tee shirts can motivate a group of women! No trophy, a silly tee shirt!
Other teams joined our league and we play year round, indoor and out. There are 11 teams in our league. Many of the women come from Royal Oak, Troy, Grand Blanc; all around. I became the manager 8 years ago for my team. The first year our teams were named by color, we were The Yellow Team. It was quite humorous. For many years we were called Clarkston Sting but we had a bit of a low period with injury and team participation and my husband started calling us the Clarkston Stink. During my knee surgery and recovery my team didn’t play. Some players went to other teams temporarily. When I started my team back up I changed the name to Clarkston Rush. A new beginning was in order.
Over the years, women came into the league and many left the league. Often the women hitting late 30’s and early 40’s were dropping out with injuries or not wanting to risk injury. Half the game of soccer is endurance and some women just choose to find other forms of exercise. It can get very rough. I have broken ribs twice, tore ligaments in ankles 6 or 7 times. I play with ankle braces, and most importantly a knee brace now. I play differently than I used to but the important thing for me is that I still play and I am in my 40’s. The camaraderie and the sport itself make me feel good and happy and youthful.
Soccer tidbit: 90 minutes of soccer play can burn up to 1200 calories.
Absolutely amazing. When I first begin reading this blog, I got excited and thought about joining your league, but after hearing about the injuries, I think sticking to other forms of cardio, might be best. I'm a whimp and I don't like pain. I react as if its the end of the world when I'm injured. I have however signed up for tennis. I've never played, so I'm excited about doing something fun to burn those calories.
ReplyDeleteI would like to try tennis someday too.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to play full contact women's (American) football but it is the only thing my husband has ever in our 26 years, said absolutely NO to.
I am considering women's hockey, it is easier on the knees but I would have to take skating lessons.
Believe it or not, in high school I was a cheerleader! I also sang in the choir and played softball.
I could always use subs Tanisha!
I think one of the definitions of wimp is unadventurous so don't be so hard on yourself.
Good for you, Karen! I think soccer is the toughest sport out there, which also makes it the most interesting to watch. I love the fast pace, and knowing the finish time is a big plus--not like football, for example, which can last for hours.
ReplyDeleteOn our adult league (which I do not play!) a few seasons ago, we had three knee surgeries in the first few weeks. My husband came down on his knee the wrong way and was out the rest of the season, but luckily didn't require surgery. He doesn't play anymore.