Credit: The Sporting Resource Nobody prepares you for the moment a parent says the quiet part out loud. Ten years ago, whilst coaching a U10 football team in America, I'd taken over a team from another coach.I knew what I was walking into, the culture was winning at all costs with the playing style being very direct, i.e. long balls, nothing else. Parents coached from the sidelines like they had the whistle. Results weren't just important, they were everything the only thing). Before the season, I handed every parent a questionnaire in an attempt to generate their thoughts on player development, expectations and what they wanted from the experience. In hindsight, I tried to change things too quickly but I tried for equal playing time, or as close to it as I could manage. A different style of play and a different way of thinking about what development actually meant at ten years old. Initially, the results went against us, especially in the eyes of the parents, which resulted in the mood shifting, and I could feel it. After one particular game, walking back to the car park, casually and with no drama, one of the parents walked next to me: Parent: "Can I ask you something? The equal playing time thing, what's the thinking behind it?" Coach: "Every player in that squad deserves to develop. That's what I'm here for, to support all of them, not just the ones who might help us win on game day." (A pause, he nods slowly.) Parent: "I hear you, but honestly? I'd rather you didn't play my son as much. If it means we win." (The coach stops walking.) Coach: "You'd rather your son plays less." Parent: "If it means we win, yeah. When we win, the mood's different, the parents are happier. It's just better for everyone." Coach: "You're paying thousands of dollars for your child not to play?" Parent: (calmly) "If it means we win. Yeah." (A beat.) Coach: "I'm a coach, my role is to develop every player in that squad. Not to manage how happy the parents feel from one weekend to the next."

What’s up everyone 👋 My name is Coach Eric, and I’m the founder of True Grassroots Soccer (TGS). I started my journey with just a ball, a few kids, and a vision to build something real from the ground up. No big funding, no connections—just consistency, passion, and a commitment to developing players the right way. Today, I run a growing soccer academy in the Dallas area, working with multiple teams, coaches, and families every week. TGS is built on one belief: you don’t need everything to start—you just need to start. Inside this community, my goal is to help you do exactly that. Whether you’re trying to start your first team, grow an academy, or become a better coach, I’m going to give you the real game—not theory, not fluff, but what actually works. We’ll cover everything: ⚽ How to get your first players ⚽ How to run effective practices ⚽ How to build your brand ⚽ How to manage parents and payments ⚽ How to grow and scale your academy This is a space for builders. Coaches who want to create something of their own and make an impact in their community. I’m here to guide, support, and grow with you—but most importantly, I’m here to keep it real. If you’re serious about building something from scratch… you’re in the right place. Let’s get to work 💪 – Coach Eric