Tracy Grant, who’s getting into his third season because the coach for the Battle boys soccer program, mentioned the main focus of his program this season is constructing a tradition based mostly on robust character and unity.
“The tradition we would like is to develop leaders,” he mentioned. “We wish to deal with duty, accountability and management. On the sphere, primary, we wish to deal with being a staff by working collectively and never getting down on one another.”
With a 4-3 loss towards Fulton in double extra time Saturday, Grant hopes his seniors will assist construct chemistry transferring ahead.
“We’re getting them used to one another, to belief one another,” Grant mentioned. “We’ve got 10 seniors on varsity, with most of them being with this system for 3 to 4 years. I see them as mini coaches in a means, have them assist increase their data to the newer gamers.”
Grant additionally emphasised his packages supportive angle towards inexperienced athletes.
“We wish to be open to new gamers,” he mentioned. “Soccer is an costly sport. A few of these guys who come out don’t have any alternative to pay for membership sports activities, so that is their likelihood to play the sport. Within the historical past of our program, we have by no means lower anyone.
“We’ve got a variety of teaching workers for various ranges of gamers, so everybody will get a chance.”
The seniors and different gamers with giant quantities of expertise shared their help of Grant’s philosophy and tradition. Kaden Fugate, who has been with the varsity program for 4 years, mentioned being a pacesetter is essential for serving to new and inexperienced gamers and attaining staff success.
“I at all times wish to discuss to them and assist them play to their expectations,” Fugate mentioned. “My freshman yr, I did not maintain myself as much as what I wished to perform, so I wish to push these guys to the place I do know they are often. General, I am making an attempt to be a greater chief and get them to assist one another.”
Whereas positives will be laborious to seek out in a loss, Fugate was impressed with how the staff carried out towards Fulton.
“It was nice to see everybody in an actual sport scenario. Loads of the staff bought the expertise I believe we have to get nearer as a staff.”
Senior Aiden Lockett has positioned excessive worth on optimistic communication.
“I struggled with confidence as a freshman,” he mentioned. “I used to be afraid to push myself and see what my restrict was. We’ve got some gifted freshman this yr. They’re fairly shy. I attempt to reward them once they do one thing proper and make them really feel assured in what they’re able to.”
Lockett has excessive expectations for this system this season. He mentioned they have been able to profitable extra video games than any staff in Spartans historical past, the present quantity season-best standing at eight.
