It’s Not About the League —It’s About the Leader 🧭

⚽️ Spoiler: It’s not the league. It’s the coach who knows your child.
By Brittney Ruggieri

The other day, I had the unexpected pleasure of reconnecting with an old friend—someone I hadn’t connected with in years. Our catch-up started casually, but quickly shifted into a conversation that left me thinking deeply for days.

We both have sons playing soccer at a high level, so naturally, the topic of competition, teams, and development came up. As we compared notes on our journeys, he said something simple—but powerful:

“It’s not about the league. It’s about the coach.”

And just like that, it clicked.

As parents, especially in the youth sports world, it’s easy to get caught up in status. The prestige of the league. The win-loss record. The “next level” opportunities. But this conversation reminded me that those things are surface-level. What’s far more important is the person leading your child every day—the coach. 🧠❤️

The coach is the one driving the ship. 🚢
They’re the one who gets to know your child on a personal level. They see them when they’re frustrated, when they’re confident, when they’re doubting themselves. They’re the adult speaking into your child’s mind and heart during crucial, formative years—not just about the game, but about life.

We spend so much time weighing the talent level, the style of play, the prestige of a club, or the competition schedule. But when I look at my child and ask, “Where is he going to thrive?”—it all comes back to who is coaching him.

Team culture matters. Absolutely. The attitudes and work ethic of teammates shape your child. Even the parenting styles of the other families—yes, the sideline culture—can play a role. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦📣 But the coach sets the tone. They create the environment. They either build up, tear down, or—too often—confuse through inconsistency.

Some coaches are all about the scoreboard. 🧮
Some are about the process.
Some make it about themselves.
And then there are the rare ones—the special ones—who make it about the development. 🙌

Those are the coaches who bring standards and support.
Who teach accountability and grace.
Who push without breaking, correct without shaming, and guide without controlling.

That’s who I’m looking for.

Not the fanciest uniform.
Not the biggest name.
I want someone who sees my child, knows him, and believes in his potential—even when he can’t see it yet. 💫

Let’s Talk About It

If you’re navigating these same decisions, I’d love to hear from you. Have you had a coach who changed your child’s life—for better or worse? How are you choosing where your child should play?

Drop a comment, send me a message, or share this with a parent who needs the reminder: it’s not about the league—it’s about the leader.

Because in the end, soccer is a game—but who our children become while playing it…
That’s the real goal. ⚽✨

📧 You can email me at brittney@mindrondo.com. I’d love to connect with fellow parents walking this same road.