KFR NEEDS YOU!!!

HAPPY SUNDAY KFR!  Wow, we are having a GREAT season and there are lots of great things happening for KFR.  First of all I would like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for everything you do for KFR.  Second, I would like to introduce myself for those of you that don’t know me.  My name is Tina Ballinger and my son is #54 Tristan Ballinger.  For those of you who may be Freshmen or Sophomore parents or for anyone who I have not met, I would just like to tell you my story.  For the past 3 years I have volunteered, just like many of you, to do concessions and I participated in all of the fundraisers etc.  I have car pooled, done dirty laundry, sewn ripped jerseys, cleaned muddy cleats and been my son’s #1 fan, as I know all of you do for your children as well.  What you may not know is that my son did not get to play very much.  As a matter of fact from 8^th grade through Sophomore year I think I could count on one hand how many times he got to play.  But the playing time was not his focus.  His focus was on doing whatever he had to do to help his team whether it be just attending practice to run plays with the boys who were playing or getting water for the team.   He never once considered quitting just because he wasn’t playing, he just concentrated on doing whatever he had to do to help the team.  Every dedicated player, no matter how talented, how big, how small, how fast etc., has a major role and is a valuable member of the team.  

When the football season ended last year, my son decided to wrestle to help him get better at football.   To make a long story short, this year he is starting Varsity.  I had no idea before the season started that he was going to start Varsity but I figured he would play some so I decided to join the Gridiron Parent’s Club.  Before this year I always had the misconception that the club was mostly for the Varsity player’s parents and I did not know much about the club.  The reason for me writing this post is because I wanted to share my experiences with others who may have the same misconception.   The GPC is one of the best support systems for our football program.  Even though it may seem like there are too many fundraisers and you may get tired of all of the emails from KFR, I just wanted to let you know that the GPC works very hard to help provide the Kilbourne football program with the tools that it takes to help our program to be successful, which in turn gives our sons invaluable life lessons.  I am beyond appreciative of what the program has done for my son and I am dedicated to doing whatever is within my ability to do my part. 

The Kilbourne football program has transformed my son into an incredible young man.  The coaches dedicate their hearts and souls to these boys and make them so much more than just good football players.   Football teaches them how to be a team player, how to represent their community in a positive way, how to communicate with others, how hard work can be rewarding, how to respect authority, how to follow rules, how to focus on goals, how to have self-discipline, but possibly the most important thing is that it gives them confidence.  As parents, we are very fortunate to have such an amazing group of people in the Kilbourne football program to lead, guide and teach our sons but with a limited budget there is only so much they can accomplish without our help.

What I am reaching out to all of you for today is to implore you to show the dedication to our football program, our team and our coaches that our sons show every single day by being part of KFR.  There are many ways that you can support our program and they do not all involve opening your wallet.   We need all of you and would appreciate whatever it is that you are willing to do for the program.  I know there is so much going on that it is hard to keep track but if you are interested in getting in the trenches please either come to a GPC meeting or if you can’t make a meeting, please just contact any of the board members (http://ballcharts.com/team/?team=kilbournefootball&pg=contacts) or you can reach out to me and I will point you in the right direction.   Just as every single player plays an important role on the team no matter how big or small it may be, every single parent and every single family member also plays an important role in supporting the team.   As the saying goes, it takes a village.  Your participation is valued, appreciated, wanted and needed. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and have a great Sunday!

Tina Ballinger