Memo #2

The soccer academy FC Boston is located in various soccer fields in Massachusetts area. On Tuesdays, the players from age 12-18 are requested to drive to Taunton where the practice is placed at Forekicks. Forekicks is a huge company that owns several turf fields and indoor fields in the area. All the locations look the same. Taunton facility though has probably the biggest parking lot of all of them. FC Boston players usually train on field 14. There are about 16 fields in the facility and all of them are in great shape. After stepping out of the car and walking into the fields, there is a huge sign asking the visitors not to eat or chew gum in the turf. There are no houses around this facility which makes the drive a little bit random. I honestly would never imagine there would be a field out there in the middle nowhere. 

There are kids everywhere wearing different uniforms. This is nobody’s house. Several other soccer academy trains in the same location which makes training sessions sometimes an awkward situation for coaches, parents, and players. We practice in a turf field (i.e. synthetic grass) that has black rubber all over the field. It always amazes me the amount of rubber that gets inside my shoes from the turf. However, I must say it is a nice facility. Despite the usual cold from New England, Tuesdays are very pleasant nights. 

I see several kids wearing the dark blue FC Boston training gear. Although my vision is far from good, I recognize my kids from far away. They are usually juggling the ball or watching the game together, which is unusual for the other kids. All seventeen players range from a different height or weight are born in 2005/2006. The soccer world of New England is usually surrounded by white privilege families. However, my team consists of several international families from Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, England, Albania, Korea, and Puerto Rico. I honestly appreciate the diversity and the parent’s experience of living overseas and being familiar with a different culture and soccer mentality. My focus is always the kids and the kids know that. Once I step in the field, usually all 17 players are there ready to work and improve. I do not need to say much, the first 30 minutes of practice is always similar, consequently, just my look is enough to get everybody working. 

    As a teacher research and also from having previous experience with research, I am aware that I need to protect the identity of the players and the club’s name. Prior to the research, which player will have a made up number therefore when I am taking notes from observation the name of the player will be secured and private. Additionally, if there is a need to take pictures of videos, I will provide the adequate waiver and proper information to give to the kids and the parents. In case of grouping, I would not be in charge of separating groups or any type of method that my relationship can influence the result. Everything would be a blind pick or blind organized. A third person, one who has no contact with my participants, would be in charge of organizing groups and etc.     

    While thinking about my research, I keep thinking about the demographics characteristics of my participants. Perhaps the research question of my research will be towards race and social economics barrier in youth academy soccer teams. I am also intrigued by the differences of perceptions between players, parents, and coach when comes to practices and games quality and productivity.