Author: elizabeth_azrak

My final day at XL for the WEP was very fun. It honestly wasn’t very busy today, so I actually got to go on the fields during my free time and shoot around with some of the staff members, which was a very good way to end the week. However, that won’t actually be my last time at XL. Due to the strong connection that I formed with Mr. Kevin, he actually offered me a job to coach the young kids, which I am very excited about. I am super grateful for getting assigned this work experience because it also opened the door for a summer job for myself!

 

Here’s Avery and Breezy sending yall love for the end of WEP.

Today, James and I had the task of reffing and keeping the scoreboard for the under 10 team. Although it may not seem like hard work, you most definitely have to stay on your toes and focused on the game. My favorite part of today was seeing how excited the kids would get when they scored a goal, and how when they scored they would look at me to make sure I added the goal to the scoreboard.

Today James, a staff member with whom I have made a good friendship, and I had the task of teaching a technique class to the 5 and 6-year-olds. One of my favorite moments from the class was seeing all the children’s faces when James or I would demonstrate a move. They would light up and become so excited to try. It was great to see the kids so engaged in the class that I was teaching and even more excited to participate.

Here is James demonstrating a trick that was a favorite across the whole class

Friday, Day 5 of my work experience was probably one of my favorite days so far. I was able to learn how to actually write and make team player cards. This was so interesting to me because I also play soccer and I need those player cards so it was honestly so cool to see how the cards that I use are made and how much work goes in to each one. Mr. Kevin taught me so well, and he wanted me to document and take a photo of him creating the templates online. 

Today had a large focus on the housekeeping things in the facility. What I mean by that was Mr. Kevin and the rest of the staff gave me incite on the tasks that need to be completed in order to keep the facility running. Although not the most fun, I did complete the checksheet that needs to be done every night, which includes cleaning up all the fields, cleaning the tables, and even the XL merch store. Even though I was cleaning, one of my favorite staff members Avery, found a way to make it fun. We turned up the country music and had a great time.

 

Here’s a photo of Avery helping me clean the lobby tables

Today, Day 3, was my first-day doing hands-on coaching. One of my favorite moments was this little 5-year-old girl named Charlotte, who was the only girl in the soccer class, coming up to me and talking for probably 20 minutes before their practice started. She was telling me about all her favorite friends on her soccer team, and we even have our own handshake. It was great being able to coach these kids and see how much fun they were having at the same time.

I was also able to gain more confidence running the front desk, and Mr. Kevin continues to make this experience a great one.

 

Here is a picture Mr. Kevin got of me as I was running the front desk by myself!

Today, one of the main things I enjoyed was the actual involvement I had in running the soccer games. I was able to shadow ref and run the scoreboard which was something I found very interesting. Mr. Kevin continues to educate me on the business side of management and he is allowing me to get a very hands-on experience with that, whether that be shadowing him when booking a rental, or actually taking payments for the rentals.

Here is my front-row seat to one of the men’s games I was running!

 

Today was my first day interning at XL soccer world. The second I got there I felt welcomed. It was interesting to get to know all the other staff that worked there, and how many of the same people we knew throughout the community. Mr. Kevin and I specifically were able to bond over Coach Hux and share many stories about him. My first day was filled with many exciting things, including greeting guests, and running the facility store, and I actually learned a lot about the business side of the facility, including booking rental spaces and answering phone calls. This facility is full of warm, welcoming people who made me feel like I had been working there for months, and I am so excited to see what the rest of my two weeks has to offer!

Mr. Kevin took a picture of me working the cash register for the first time!

This is my practice post for my WEP at XL soccer world focusing on the sports management and communications aspects of the facility. I’m very excited to start!