Mike Serba Memorial Golf Tournament

Who Are The “Cannon Fodder”

And

Why Do They Do It?

The Who

The who are simply the dedicated parents and their children. The parents outfit the kids with equipment. They write the cheques for registration. They drive them to the arena for practices, games and tournaments. They support the team and the all of the team’s and organization’s fundraising. The parents soon find that the days activities are determined by the hockey schedule for the team and the routine habit is to check that schedule and make arrangements as necessary to meet it. It’s amazing how resourceful they become.

Some of the parents volunteer to coach, be assistant coaches, trainers, and team managers. Without them nothing would ever happen. It just wouldn’t exist.

But as you’ll discover, the most important thing that the parents do is keep going and writing the cheques.

The Why

Because They Act Like Normal Parents

Every normal parent simply wants what’s best for their children. Every step and accomplishment from the first steps learning to walk, learning to talk and onward and upward from there is a source of pride and pure joy.

For some reason the joy and pride from a child’s participation in sports occupies an elevated space in this hierarchy. In the early days there are no great expectations. When starting to skate and play hockey it’s an accomplishment to just stand and take a few strides while keeping the shiny sharp part of the skates in contact with the ice. In these early days they just learn by osmosis; the trial and error, the falling, the first few steps,  and so on, just like learning to walk. And you know what? They actually improve and get better and produce more joy for their parents.

Just go to any house league game of say about six year old players. Watch a kid actually skate with the puck, magically beat a couple opposition players and maintain control and then score a goal. If you were to be looking at the parents in the stands as this took place you would spot the child’s parents right away. They’re the ones whose upper bodies tensed up in anticipation along with some trepidation as their heads raised with chin thrust forward for a better look. This action almost pulls their rear ends off the bleacher seats. Then when the goal is scored the expressions of joy are palpable. The other parents congratulate them  (in these early days everyone is supportive; it’s a wonderful kinship).

It’s like a powerful opiate. They don’t know when the next high is going to happen but they’re addicted and they can’t wait for the next one.

These are the early days. The hopes are high while the expectations for the most part at this point are very modest. Enjoy it while you can for it’s more than likely to change.

Stay tuned, there’s a lot more to come.

Why – Because They Act Like Normal Parents