GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The sun is still shining bright and it seems a bit warmer than normal this time of year, which are all great things for youth sports in Gridley, CA. It’s been a few weeks of playing games for fall sports with lots of excitement, entertainment, and intense competition. The City of Gridley Recreation Department’s soccer season has been underway for a few weeks now. Players, coaches, parents, grandparents, and supporters continue to fill the fields at Gridley High School to cheer on their favorite youth athlete. On Saturday, October 2, 2021, sports fans were able to catch youth soccer and Titans football over a matter of hours and within a few hundred yards of each other. 

Every player out on their field of play giving it their all, learning the basic fundamentals of the sport, and trying their best to score a goal or touchdown for their team. Some of the greatest life lessons are being learned on those fields; sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and how to put in hard work to achieve goals. One of the most important lessons young athletes are still learning about life is that when there is competition, there are winners and there are losers. Some of the greatest tests to a person’s character is when they lose. Does a loss motivate the individual to work harder and overcome that hurdle to win the next game? Or does that loss cause the individual to quit and give up? These moments of sports are some of the most important for coaches to embrace for their young athletes. Not just the outcome of the game or the trophy or medal to be won, but the teachable moments for coaches and players alike.

The seasons are wrapping up here in a few weeks. Make sure to get out and catch your favorite soccer player or football player out on the field this weekend, October 16th, at Gridley High School.