World cup.....Socceroomania at home and abroad!

My youngest, my twin as many tell us (due to her hair colouring and facial features, unfortunately not in the area of her very slim body, long legs and athleticism) has become a keen soccer player. Hubby is an ex-referee and we now all show a keen interest in the game of soccer since he entered our life. Fob, however, has blossomed in her sporting prowess over the last two years with her learning and playing the game of which I am so truly proud of her and again basque in her glory. We signed her up at the local club and her coach is a fabulous Irishman who is soccer mad and she has loved the game so much that even wants to train in the rain on occasion.

Let me say, things always were not so content in my world as they are now. The first day of try-outs last year involved us simply turning up with her in her mandatory new socks, homemade elastic garters, shin pads and sparkling new soccer boots. On approaching the field, I noticed that the there seemed a definite lack of female participants, in fact, as I counted a very impressive 41 head count, only 1 of those heads belonged to another young lady.....what have I done? My darling will be laughed at by these boys and she will hate me for the rest of my life for signing her up and not researching what clearly was my parental duty......I am a failure!!!!?????

You see, muggins here presumed that there would naturally be a female and male team for this age group.....clearly I was a novice soccer mum. No one told me at sign up day that this would not be so however nor did I ask any questions as I presumed that one sex teams would exist.....apparently not necessary for junior soccer. No, in fact my little darling would end up in a team consisting of 2 females and the rest males and she hasn't looked back. I asked her on that day that if she felt uncomfortable playing in a team of boys I would understand completely and like her truly fabulous "take it as it comes" attitude she has, Fob informed me and quite adamantaly that she had no intention of not playing and whether the other girl would be a definite in her team or not would not affect her participation. Luckly the other young lady was placed in Fobs team and let me say that the young men in the team are more than respectful toward the girls and I am so impressed with these kids not to mention that potential dance and formal partners she now knows!!!! Okay, I digress....... Also, this other young lady who had been playing soccer for a few years ended up receiving the "best player" award for the team at the end of the season and was she an amazing player.......go girls!!!!

Unfortunately that young lady moved overseas after the season finished last year but we have been blessed with another girl with a number of years experience who has come into the team and dare I say, she is the most outstanding player in the team according to the coach and parents......again only two girls on the team but clearly GIRLS RULE!!! Fob herself has come leaps and bounds and the sequel "Bend It Like Beckham II" could be just around the corner featuring guess who?????