Have you ever played coed soccer? I didn't think I'd like it...but I did. I had just moved from Kansas City to Houston. One night, while out for a run, I discovered an indoor soccer arena just a few blocks from my new home. This was exciting good news. I went inside to see what was going on. A coed soccer game was in progress. One of the teams was shorthanded so they asked me to play. I was reluctant. My only other experience with coed play turned out badly. One of the women on the other team ran into me and fell down (turns out she did this a lot). I was sent to the penalty box. I figured if I could get penalized for just standing there, this wasn't worth doing. But, being new to the Houston area, I went ahead and joined the game. This time it worked out well and I enjoyed the game. After the game, they asked me to join the team. Having nothing better to do at the time, I figured it wouldn't hurt anything, so I accepted their offer.
The team played in a league called TORSO. This is an acronym for Thirty and Over Recreational Soccer Organization. We played teams from all around the Houston area, and even traveled over to Beaumont for a tournament twice a year.
My wife had never played soccer. She had attended the games when I coached and my son played so she was familiar with the game. She went to watch our game and the women on the team talked her into joining the team. (There is no such thing as too many women on a coed soccer team.) She liked the activity and enjoyed the camaraderie. From that time on, it became a social event.
Our team was sponsored by a local pizza restaurant. So, after the games, we would head for the restaurant and patronize our sponsor by consuming large quantities of beer and pizza. What a concept! Our sponsor was a pretty good soccer player himself, having grown up in South America.
This turned out to be a great way for my wife and me to participate in a sport we could both enjoy. We had played coed slow pitch softball back in Kansas City, but that wasn't nearly as much fun. It certainly wasn't as much exercise.
So, I recommend you get out there and try it. There are leagues in most major cities. Chances are, if your town has any adult soccer being played, coed soccer is being played. If not, talk to the Parks and Recreation people and get one started. It won't cost them much as the facilities are probably already available.
The team played in a league called TORSO. This is an acronym for Thirty and Over Recreational Soccer Organization. We played teams from all around the Houston area, and even traveled over to Beaumont for a tournament twice a year.
My wife had never played soccer. She had attended the games when I coached and my son played so she was familiar with the game. She went to watch our game and the women on the team talked her into joining the team. (There is no such thing as too many women on a coed soccer team.) She liked the activity and enjoyed the camaraderie. From that time on, it became a social event.
Our team was sponsored by a local pizza restaurant. So, after the games, we would head for the restaurant and patronize our sponsor by consuming large quantities of beer and pizza. What a concept! Our sponsor was a pretty good soccer player himself, having grown up in South America.
This turned out to be a great way for my wife and me to participate in a sport we could both enjoy. We had played coed slow pitch softball back in Kansas City, but that wasn't nearly as much fun. It certainly wasn't as much exercise.
So, I recommend you get out there and try it. There are leagues in most major cities. Chances are, if your town has any adult soccer being played, coed soccer is being played. If not, talk to the Parks and Recreation people and get one started. It won't cost them much as the facilities are probably already available.
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