Soccer Dreams At a Price by Turan Sahinkaya

Soccer is awesome. No other sport is as popular throughout the world. Anyone can play no matter your age or gender and youngsters nowadays start kicking a soccer ball almost as soon as they learn to walk. Many boys and girls get involved in recreational soccer as early as three years of age.

Some of these soccer kids grow up to have a deep passion and love for the sport, some are lost to other sports, and some realize sports might not be their path in life. However, as a small percentage of these soccer children get involved and keep progressing through the years, they may be lucky enough to one day graduate to the inevitable intense grand world of - select soccer.

Select soccer – if you are one of the special players who can make it through the grueling tryout process to make these best-of-the-best teams you will soon learn that it’s a substantial time, financial, and often ten-page annual binding contract commitment for a family.

Parents know that for every select player chosen there was one rejected. You feel privileged if your soccer player is good enough to play at this level that is a big step-up from the recreational soccer days and many proudly take it on with future college or professional soccer dreams in mind.

One of the best soccer players of our time, Lionel Messi, once said, “Whatever happens, there are always things you could have done better. You score two goals and you usually feel you could have done better. You score two goals and you usually feel you could have scored a third. That’s perfectionism. That’s what makes you progress in life.” This is the attitude many of these players emulate at this level.

Select soccer is not for the faint of heart or the light of pocketbook. Its ultra competitive and the coaches are stern and demanding. Some families get out the first year running as fast as they can and well, others live and breathe this lifestyle and wouldn’t trade it for the world. An expensive and committed proposition to say the least, but it can be justified with an eye on the prize of a college scholarship and the experience few can say they’ve ever had.

A soccer mom’s calendar can compete with Obama’s any day of the week. These dedicated no holds barred soccer parents are willing to sacrifice a large chunk of their time and money for their budding future soccer star. Soon they will be faced with rigorous four days a week or more of practices and games. They will see weekend tournaments out of state or even out of the country and many countless hours on the road. And despite the ups and downs in the economy, many moms and dads are still willing to write checks for club fees, uniforms, travel expenses, $300 cleats, etc., totaling an astonishing ten grand or more for the year for some.

We are lucky here in the states to have all we do when you think about some children in the world who cannot afford shoes to play soccer in so they must play in their bare feet or who cannot afford a soccer ball to play with so they use rolled up towels or banana leaves. Some don’t even have a field or patch of grass to play soccer on, so they play in a crowded street or hard dirt field. Still these same soccer players dream the same dream of one day playing for their country, playing in a World Cup, for a university, or becoming a professional player.

So whether your child runs around with a recreational soccer team with friends enjoying the sport or whether they are destined to play select soccer one day, they should be encouraged to follow their soccer dreams until they corner them and make them come true. You never know, one day your child might be a starting soccer player on scholarship at their college of choice or perhaps your up-and-coming player may just be the next Messi!

We as parents put a lot of time, money and effort into affording our children with the select soccer experience. We are by their side cheering them along every step of the way and make many sacrifices for our little soccer dreamers. We make memories that will last a lifetime on the pitch or even in the car as we get time to spend together on all those soccer drives to practices, games, and tournaments. Sure it costs money in many cases to play at this stage, but for the few that continue on their path towards their soccer dreams the experience on many levels can be said to be simply priceless.

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Turan Sahinkaya: Why Everyone Should Volunteer by Turan Sahinkaya

Through the years Turan Sahinkaya has discovered that volunteering not only helps others in need, but it is beneficial for the person volunteering in so many ways. Most of us will help others who need our help simply because it’s the noble thing to do for the greater good of mankind. But going out of your way to help others for no reason, no paycheck, and no reward – other than to assist another fellow human being is one of the most rewarding things one can do.

When Turan Sahinkaya worked with Habit for Humanity for many years starting out as a teenager, he found out that it gave him a feeling of self-esteem he’s never felt before. He believes it makes one feel wanted and enables you to make a big contribution to society and see hands-on results of helping out another person.

Turan Sahinkaya said, “Working with underprivileged children and coaching them and kicking the soccer ball with them taught me to appreciate what I have. I discovered that an hour of my time can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child having personal difficulties and family struggles. Seeing their eyes light up and the smiles on their faces when the kids score their very first goal is absolutely priceless.”

One year Turan Sahinkaya helped to renovate an old soccer field so the boys and girls could have new balls and new soccer goals and nets. It was a lot of work but Turan said the excitement in the air when they saw the new soccer field was something he will never forget. He recalls one young boy looking up at him and asking how he could repay him and Turan replied, “You can help me by helping others learn how to play soccer.” A simple pay it forward can work wonders in life and yet another benefit of volunteering.

Some people volunteer because hardships and health struggles may have afflicted them or loved ones. Working with the American Cancer Society, Turan Sahinkaya saw firsthand how good it makes people feel to work with a charity that helps cure diseases. He saw daughters running in races in honor of their mothers with breast cancer and children volunteering their time in memory of a parent who lost their life to cancer.

When Turan Sahinkaya mentored troubled children through the YMCA, he was challenged by them to expand his horizons of thinking and gain opportunities that have helped him become the success he is today. Turan stated, “I saw these children looking up to me as a role model, and I can only hope that I gave them the optimism that one day they too will have the same chances to be successful in life as I’ve had, through hard work and dedication.”

Turan Sahinkaya believes that volunteering is the definitive payback to those who helped him on his personal road to success. When he first volunteered as a camp counselor in high school he thought it would be something good to add to his resume, but after the summer was over the last thing he cared about was his resume booster. Turan learned a lot about himself through volunteering and it has led to his personal inner growth, knowing he had such an impact on shaping young and impressionable lives.

So Turan Sahinkaya implores everyone to find a cause and volunteer. Everyone’s a winner when you volunteer. Not only will you be helping others, you will be helping yourself as well. Studies have shown that volunteer work is actually good for your psychological and physical health and helps to lower stress.

So enough excuses - get off the coach and do something positive for others, and for you. Turan Sahinkaya remarks, “I truly believe the benefits you reap from volunteering will surprise you. You might not expect anything in return for your time while volunteering, but you just might be surprised how much you will get in return!”

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