Not Every Kid is a "Team" Player

With all the drama surrounding the possible closure of the Sumner Pool, all I really want to do is make sure my child has a place to swim with his team. 

You see, he's not a "ball player" or big on "team sports." Since he was a tot, my husband and I have struggled with finding something that was "his thing." Frustration upon frustration, we tried it all. Soccer, baseball, basketball, field hockey... it was painful to watch at times, and always like pulling teeth to get him out to door to practice or a game. Getting him to agree to try it in the first place took special skill and a fair amount of bribing.  Then, finally, I was told in no uncertain terms that he "did not want to play any sports with a ball." 

Ok... now what? 

He's always loved the water and we were fortunate to eventually find him some good lessons.  Then, last summer we connected with the South Sound Titans and signed him up for their prep program. This is designed as a program for someone who has maxed out on their lessons but isn't quite ready for a team - "a bridge" between the two. It was the answer we had been looking for. He actually asked when he got to go again. 

After the program, my son decided he wanted to try the swim team. This is the first time in 10 years that I haven't had to deal with arguments, tears and over-the-top stubbornness about going to practice. What's great about swimming is that it's an individual sport, but you get to participate in a team atmosphere. He's with other kids and now feels like he's part of a group.

Now I sit and wonder what we'll do if his team is forced to disband because there is no place to swim. There are simply no pools available in the area available for us to use. Swimming doesn't get the same respects as other sports like football, soccer or basketball. You'll never see a football team shut down. Swimming sadly doesn't bring in the big bucks to school budgets. But, not everyone is going to be a ball player.  Not everyone has the talent, nor the interest. And, sadly, I realize that at the age of 10, it's almost too late for him to pick up some other mainstream sport - if he even had any interest. Back when I was a kid, we were only starting to find out what sports we had aptitudes for at the age of 10. And, we were looking at recreational leagues at that age, not "select" or "premier" ones. 

Swimming has gained respect with the amazing feats of Michael Phelps. I hope that when my son hits high school there are still some area pools open so he, and others, can swim on a competitive team, if they choose. 

Sometimes it can be hard to "shine" when you're not a ball player. I hope my son has the chance through a sport that we've just found and are trying desperately to keep.