I am beyond angry. I am devastated! I’m shaking as I write this because I cannot understand how ONE person - one adult - can inflict so much emotional damage on an 11-year-old boy. My son used to be full of light. He lived and breathed goalkeeping. He had passion, hope, fire - this beautiful spark that made him feel unstoppable. And now? Now he’s a shattered version of himself. He’s drowning in self-doubt, questioning everything he used to love. He genuinely believes he’s not good enough to be a goalkeeper anymore. An eleven-year-old child should never feel that way. And what breaks me the most is that the very people who were supposed to protect him, guide him, nurture him, DEVELOP him - the ones he trusted - are the same ones who tore him apart. His so-called coach, the one who promised him the world, who stood in front of him telling him how “amazing” he was… that same man turned around and ripped him to pieces that no one else saw. How can someone build up a child with one breath and destroy him with the next? Does he even realise what he’s done to my son? No. He doesn’t. And he carries on with his life as if nothing happened. As if he hasn’t left an 11-year-old boy picking up the broken pieces of his confidence. The damage is done, and he doesn’t give a damn. And everyone around him still supports him and praises him and we are classed as pests, a nuisance and causing trouble! Meanwhile, I’m left watching my son crumble. My heart aches - physically aches - for my boy. And I don’t know how to bring his spark back. 😭 For the first time in over two years, he refused to go to goalkeeper training. He said, “I can’t dive… I’m not good enough… the other boys are better, so what’s the point?” Hearing those words from a child who used to throw himself around the pitch with joy and bravery tore something inside me. And the truth? He is an amazing keeper. So many people have told him that—coaches, parents, players. But it doesn’t matter. When a child with ADHD hears something negative—especially from someone he admires—it cuts deeper than anyone realises. It sticks. It festers. It becomes truth to them.

Today my twin boys both played in goal for 2 teams and pulled off some amazing saves! We've been struggling not having a goal keeper specific trainer. We've turned to YouTube and determination to make a great little keeper out of my boy William, today has been a true surprise when his twin brother(asd) stepped up to be a second keeper! Both won some excellent saves had amazing punting and the teams won the matches! They also got there new gear just in time for Christmas! Time to invest in another pair of goal keeper gloves

Possibly my save of the season so far

A save i made at a tournament. I am really enjoying gk position 🧤

Curious to hear from other parents — how do you manage the emotions that come with watching your own child play such a high-pressure position? As both a coach and a parent, I’ve realized it’s a completely different kind of stress when it’s your kid between the posts. How do you stay calm and supportive without showing the nerves?