Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2022

Teaghan, soccer player from Gulfport.
i9 Sports Gulfport
601.533.8166 lamarques.ogans@i9sports.com
story by Luke Height photo courtesy of i9 Sports
Teamwork, celebration, and personal growth all come from playing sports. Sadly, many children with incredible potential quit sports at a young age. Often, programs don’t emphasize the process of learning or celebrate small wins for their young athletes. However, at i9 Sports®, mentors know how critical the right approach is during the first few years that a child is trying out and exploring a new sport.
Even though i9 are experts in this field, Teaghan, a four-year old soccer player from Gulfport, has taught them something. We interviewed Kerri, Teaghan’s mother, to hear about her daughter’s great success at i9 Sports®.
“Teaghan is a preschooler at Gulfport Academy, and when she saw a picture of several
of her classmates with i9 Sports soccer jerseys on, she immediately wanted to play soccer.” Although she was eager to get started and enjoyed practice, when it came time to play a game she ran off the field and into her mother’s lap.
Overcome by fear and feeling shy, she sat on the sidelines and watched as her friends
kicked the ball around and scored a goal. “She spent most of that game with me on the sideline,” Kerri recalls. However, Teaghan’s coach was very patient and encouraging. With
a few minutes left in her last game, the coach persuaded Teaghan to come on the field and participate with her team. She asked her to kick the ball when it came close to her and run to the ball if she wanted.
“All the parents on our team cheered for Teaghan as she went after the ball and scored a goal,” said Kerri. “The game ended, and our coach lined our players up to shake hands with the other team. When our team huddled together, the coach explained that she had a medal to give to a player that demonstrated great sportsmanship. Teaghan was shocked when she was awarded the sportsmanship medal for that game. She was beaming as she showed the medal to me.”
On the way home, Teaghan turned to her mom and said, “I want to tell dad and grandma that I scored a goal and got a medal today.” Kerri says, “Throughout the coming week, Teaghan took every opportunity to get the soccer ball out in the backyard and practice.
She asked when the next soccer game would be and couldn’t wait for Saturday. At the next practice, she eagerly participated with new enthusiasm – she ran like I had never seen her run before. She was so excited to do her very best and was happy to tell me that she made new friends.”
Kerri was overjoyed with her daughter’s transformation. She says, “Thank you for providing such a safe and positive environment for children to learn to play and enjoy sports. I know that’s what i9 Sports® is all about. It’s made all the difference for Teaghan’s confidence in herself.”
Teaghan proves how a child can go from doubt to determination and overcome fear. Her journey is one of many examples of how sports help children develop confidence, bravery and inner strength.
If you’re looking for a fun experience for your kids in which they can develop athletic skills, build self-confidence,and learn good sportsmanship, i9 Sports® has the programs for you.
90 | April 2022
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