Dear Water-Oak Football & Cheer Families,
I want to take a moment to personally thank each of you for your unwavering support of our organization, each of our youth athletes, coaches, and our team parents.
We are extremely fortunate to have such positive, loving, and supportive parents involved in our Water-Oak Football & Cheer organization.
Often in youth sports, we celebrate the victories, the athletes, and the coaches. However, there is a special group that usually goes unnoticed, but their role is crucial. This special group is YOU, the parents/guardians, the unsung heroes, who form the backbone of every successful team. You are the ones who do the little things that help our coaches transform a team into a family while working behind the scenes.
You are the ones that notice the subtle cues and observations some of us miss and you act on them. For example, you send video clips to the working mom or dad that missed the game/competition so he/she can still feel connected to his/her child that day. You share game and competition video clips to other families because you captured a great moment of another child on the team doing something great. You bring the extra water for the boy/girl who inevitably forgets his/her own. These acts may seem minor or inconsequential, but they resonate deeply. They send a message of compassion, unity, and support. They demonstrate to our children and our new families what it means to be part of our Water-Oak community, to look out for one another, and to extend kindness without expecting anything in return.
The list runs deep, but thank you for . . .
- The long hours you spend sitting in the bleachers/seats watching your children at games/competitions or practices, putting aside your own work or personal interests.
- The many miles you put on your vehicle as you travel to games/competitions and practices to support your children.
- The hours you volunteer to help your children’s teams in a variety of different ways.
- The hugs you give your children, win, or lose.
- The support you show the entire team, not just your own child.
- The way you support your children’s coaches, even if you do not agree with them.
- The sacrifices you make so your children can play.
Your contributions to the culture of our Water-Oak Football & Cheer program is invaluable. Our program would not be what it is today, without your help and support, and it is appreciated by our Board of Directors, coaches, other parents/guardians, the team and, most of all, by your children. I assure you that one day, they will fully understand and appreciate your sacrifices for them.
Thank you again for your tireless dedication, unwavering support, and willingness to go the extra mile. You may not receive the accolades you deserve but please know that your impact is immeasurable. You are shaping not just better athletes, but better human beings.
The “Warrior Mindset” is defined as not quitting, and instead, doing whatever it takes to win or complete the mission. It means being willing to invest as many hours as necessary to learn and understand what it takes to be a leader. I think it is fair to say that our Water-Oak youth football and cheer athletes have that Warrior Mindset, which starts with you as the parents/guardians at home and is reinforced day-in and day-out by our amazing group of volunteer coaches and team parents.
I will continue to say it repeatedly, but our Water-Oak community is special, and it is thanks to the amazing families like yourselves that make it what it is today.
Warriors Nation, loud and proud!
Yours in Unity,
Matt Geer, President of Water-Oak Football & Cheer
