From lessons learned and improving processes to building upon the collective victories of the past season, these opportunities are the building blocks of a high caliber team.
But, what happens when there are no lessons yet to be learned? What happens when the film vault lies empty and victory, be it big or small, is nothing more than a hopeful daydream? In the case of Legacy Ranch, you build it yourself.
Armed with nothing more than a common goal, the Wranglers’ soccer program is doing just that – building – one block at a time.
Russ Girard, head coach of the boys’ team, watches in awe as the daydreams become reality each day, right before his eyes.
“We are molding the soccer program according to a collective vision and it has been very rewarding,” said Girard. “Watching things build in real time is fun.”
At the helm of the girls’ team is head coach Kaitlyn Lopez, who echoes Girard’s amazement as she and her team contribute to the building process.
“It’s a very unique and very special opportunity,” Lopez said, adding that, in addition to everything else about Legacy Ranch being new, this is also her first year teaching. “This is extra special. It’s been really fun, and everyone here has been superb. There are top-notch human beings everywhere you turn, so that’s been super helpful.”
Lopez and Girard are building the soccer program from scratch, an opportunity that isn’t taken lightly by either one.
Aligned in their vision, the overarching theme of teamwork speaks to the momentous progress of these teams, each in their infancy.
“Everyone that is involved is an integral piece to what we have at the moment,” said Lopez. “They truly are the foundation and the building blocks of what we’ll build upon next year, the year after that and so on and so forth.”
Girard didn’t mince words while speaking of his team’s efforts, as well as their ownership of everything they do, including the newfound tradition of rewarding the “Golden Lasso” to standout players in practices and matches.
“From our goals as a program, to how we break out of a team talk, to how we end our games – everything has been a group effort and we have some great stuff that we do,” said Girard. “The excitement around the possibilities of this program is vast.”
Building a team is one thing, but performing as one is another. Strategies can be developed, playbooks can be written and players and coaches chosen but, without commitment, success becomes an uphill battle.
From the players to the community, the chips have been enthusiastically moved to the center of the table.
“They are all in on what it means to be a Wrangler,” said Girard. “The support from the Liberty Hill community is second to none – the passion this community has for its youth is incredible.”
Lopez agreed wholeheartedly. “It’s been really fun having the whole community wrap around and share in the excitement of all of the newness and getting everything up and running,” said Lopez.
As time has its way of flying by, Girard and Lopez will soon find themselves at day one of Legacy Ranch’s inaugural varsity season. By then, the building blocks will be in place and, with lessons of loss and victory alike under their belt, a new opportunity will stand before them - the opportunity to put all they’ve built to the test.
“Imagining day one of being a varsity program and the success that’s all to come there – being able to look back on what this season was and to know we did that together and we’ve come all this way together, I think it’s going to be awesome,” said Lopez.
“Our team has a list of goals that we strive to accomplish every day,” added Girard, as he shined the spotlight on... Click here to read full article
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