Welcome to the SoCal Youth Sports Highlight Reel,  a monthly segment highlighting one child from our program on their journey from their first class to the latest class.

The Highlight Reel aims to celebrate a child not only for their on-field progression and successes, but also for embodying the core values and outcomes of our program, Character, Courageousness, Curiosity and Creativity. 

Paige Birdsall

Highlight Reel – June 2021

Share Paige's Story

2nd Edition – Paige Birdsall

Paige Birdsall is the second child in our program to be hand picked for our monthly segment – The Highlight Reel. The Highlight Reel is an opportunity for us, as a program, to not only highlight the special characters, like Paige, but to also express our appreciation to all of our families and demonstrate the relationships we look to build with each child in the program.

No one needs a reminder of how difficult and turbulent the last 15 months have been, however, out of difficulty and struggle always come stories of light and success. Paige Birdsall is one of those stories that gives us all a hop in our step and a reason to keep doing what we are doing.

At the age of 4, Paige joined SoCal Youth Sports to play a sport for the first time. After signing up for one of our Public Group Soccer Classes on Saturday mornings, Paige was about to embark on an exciting, new adventure. The normal experiences of meeting new children, making new friends,  and improving skills was always going to be different for Paige, as it is for so many other young children during the pandemic. However, we are delighted to say this did not stop Paige from showing us all what a character she is.

Paige has shown week in, week out how caring and empathetic a child she is. Not only does Paige try to take on instructions, play games, and challenge herself, many times for the first time, but Paige is also insistent on supporting her classmates at every given opportunity. Paige is often having to be reminded to concentrate on her own playing so she can achieve her goals and improve herself, a unique quality for a 4-year-old to be so outwardly looking. These are signs of huge character.

A very curious young lady, Paige is always ready to ask questions, as well as answer them, not just with her feet but also with huge confidence and eagerness verbally. Sometimes, she even going so far as to commandeer coach Matt’s whiteboards to show and explain her answers too! This is the type of creativity and boldness we love to see in all of our children.

Paige’s first steps in sport haven’t always been plain sailing. There has been upset and tears thrown in with all the smiles and fun Paige has had. She shows fantastic levels of courageousness in the face of adversity, whether it’s dusting herself down after a hard fall, or playing against bigger, faster stronger children, Paige always shows a huge willingness to get back up and play again, even on the hardest of days.

This courageousness, creativity and curiosity is extended further when Paige is asked to concentrate and focus on herself. She is given challenges and she sets personal goals in order to develop her understanding of the ball and the game. Whilst she often likes to check in for feedback, over the last few weeks Paige has grown in her ability to play and learn for herself. This is a crucial reflective tool to build. We always want to let our children find confidence in their own decision making skills. Children making their own decisions in their own games is vital for their development.

Paige is a fantastic member of our program and we feel very fortunate to have her and her family with us in our classes. As always, well done Paige, keep being yourself and keep up the good work on the field, at school, and home!