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delvis peter

@Delvis2004

Table Standings were at number 2 Othaya Green Santos

4 days ago

"Is My Son Good?” – A Common Question, A Bigger Lesson

One of the funny—but very important—questions I often hear from parents and guardians shortly after bringing their children to Sparrow Champion Athletes Academy is this:

“Coach, is my son good?”

Sometimes this question comes just a few days after the child resumes training. When I hear it, I usually smile and respond with laughter—not out of mockery, but because the question itself reveals a misunderstanding of what youth football development truly means.

At Sparrow Champion Athletes Academy, we do not ask boys under the age of 15 to leave because they are “not good.” Especially at the Under-13 level, football is not about being “good” yet—it is about learning, growth, and development. At that age, our duty as coaches is not to judge children, but to teach them.

“Children are not finished products; they are projects in progress.”

Young players come to us with different backgrounds. Some have played on the streets, some in schools, some have never kicked a structured football in their lives. Expecting instant excellence from a child within days or weeks is unrealistic and unfair.

“Talent is raw at a young age. Training gives it direction.”

For us, the most important things at the U13 and U15 levels are:

Willingness to learn
Discipline
Attitude
Consistency
Love for the game
Skill will come with time, patience, and correct coaching.

Football development is not magic. It is a process.

“You don’t judge a seed after three days; you nurture it and wait for growth.”

When parents ask if their child is “good,” what we really encourage them to ask instead is:

Is my child improving?
Is my child learning?
Is my child enjoying the game?
Is my child in a safe, positive environment?

Because those are the foundations of long-term success.

“The best players were once beginners who were given time.”

At Sparrow Champion Athletes Academy, we believe every child deserves a chance to learn without fear of rejection or comparison. Our role is to guide, train, correct, encourage, and protect their passion—especially in these formative years.

“Before a player becomes good, he must first be allowed to be bad—and to learn from it.”

To every parent and guardian: trust the process. Development takes time. With patience, support, and the right environment, you will be surprised at how far your child can go.

And to the boys: come ready to learn. Your journey has just begun.

Jonathan Chidiebere Opara
Director, Sparrow Champion Athletes Academy LTD.