I remember the first time my daughter hesitated before soccer practice, staring at her cleats like they were instruments of torture rather than tools of joy. That moment hit me hard - how do we keep young girls excited about this beautiful game when distractions and doubts creep in? Just last Saturday, I witnessed something that answered this question in the most spectacular fashion. The University of Santo Tomas delivered what can only be described as a masterclass in sporting passion during their streak-busting performance against La Salle. IMPRESSIVE is an understatement when describing how they played with such fire and determination that you could feel the energy radiating from the pitch.
Watching those young athletes play with such unbridled enthusiasm took me back to my own coaching days. There's a magical transformation that happens when girls connect with soccer on their own terms - it stops being just a sport and becomes something closer to self-expression. The UST players demonstrated this beautifully, their movements fluid and confident, their communication constant and supportive. They weren't just playing to win; they were playing because they genuinely loved every moment on that field. This is exactly what we need to cultivate in our young players - that pure, uncomplicated joy.
The statistics from that game tell part of the story - UST had been trailing in their previous 12 encounters against La Salle, making this 3-1 victory particularly meaningful. But numbers can't capture the emotional impact of seeing players who've clearly found their spark. I noticed how the UST team celebrated each successful pass, how they picked each other up after missed opportunities, how their captain kept shouting encouragement even when the pressure mounted. These aren't just game strategies - they're manifestations of genuine excitement for soccer. We need to bring this same energy to youth coaching.
Here's what I've learned works wonders for keeping soccer kids girls excited about the beautiful game: make it about more than just winning. During my daughter's next practice, I suggested her coach incorporate more creative elements - letting players choose their warm-up music, allowing them to experiment with flashy moves during drills, ending sessions with fun mini-games where the only rule was to try something new. The transformation was immediate. Suddenly, my daughter was begging to get to practice early rather than dragging her feet. She started watching professional games with me, not because I asked her to, but because she wanted to see what cool moves she could try herself.
Expert coaches I've spoken with emphasize that around age 11-14, many girls either fall deeply in love with soccer or drift away from it completely. The difference often comes down to whether they see it as their sport rather than something they're doing to please parents or coaches. One youth development specialist told me, "When girls feel ownership of their soccer journey, when they're encouraged to play with creativity and joy rather than just instruction and discipline, that's when the magic happens." This perfectly describes what I saw in the UST players - each one seemed to be playing her own version of the game while seamlessly integrating with the team.
The financial aspect can't be ignored either. Properly funded youth programs make a huge difference in maintaining excitement. The UST program reportedly invests approximately $15,000 annually specifically in morale-building activities and creative training equipment - everything from specialized vision-training tools to team-building retreats. While most youth clubs operate on much smaller budgets, the principle remains important: when girls see that their soccer experience matters enough to warrant investment, they're more likely to invest their own passion in return.
What struck me most about that UST game was the sheer variety of playing styles on display. Some players relied on technical precision, others on raw speed, still others on strategic positioning. This diversity is something we should celebrate in youth soccer rather than trying to fit every player into the same mold. I've seen too many coaches drill the creativity out of young players in pursuit of perfect form. But perfection without personality makes for boring soccer - and bored players.
My daughter's team recently started a tradition where each player shares what she loves most about soccer at the end of practice. The answers range from "the sound the ball makes when I strike it perfectly" to "that moment when we all know exactly where everyone will be without talking." These small moments of reflection help cement their connection to the sport. It's not about creating future professionals - it's about nurturing a lifelong relationship with physical activity and teamwork.
That UST victory against La Salle mattered not just because it broke a losing streak, but because it demonstrated how beautiful soccer can be when played with heart. The players didn't just go through the motions - they celebrated the game itself with every pass, every tackle, every coordinated movement. This is the energy we need to bring to youth soccer. We need to stop measuring success solely by goals scored and games won, and start valuing the laughter during water breaks, the inside jokes that develop between teammates, the proud smiles when a new skill finally clicks.
As I watched my daughter practice yesterday, attempting an audacious flick she'd seen in a professional match, I saw that same spark I'd witnessed in the UST players. She failed spectacularly, tumbling into a giggling heap with her teammate. But then she got up and tried it again. And again. That persistence born of genuine excitement is what transforms soccer from a hobby into a passion. It's what makes all the early mornings and muddy uniforms worthwhile. It's our responsibility as parents and coaches to nurture that excitement, to help our soccer kids girls fall in love with the beautiful game on their own terms, and to celebrate every moment of that journey together.