“One, two, three, God is great!” a huddle of girls cheered before moving into position on Colonial’s soccer field. They are participants in Colonial’s growing soccer league for children ages 4-12. There isn’t an empty field on campus when Saturday morning games are underway; energetic players fill them all. Soccer isn’t the only spring sport in full swing at Colonial. To the delight of several families, one field is occupied by 5 and 6-year-old T-ball players. Parents and kids agree: when it comes to sports, Colonial is the place to be.

“We chose this league because we like that it teaches a Christ-like attitude through sports and [that] winning isn’t everything,” one parent said, while watching her son at a recent T-ball game. “They hear the message every practice, so that’s a good thing.” In T-ball games at Colonial, children are encouraged, not scolded. Coaches shout: “Nice swing, try again!” It’s not uncommon for a child at bat to have his entire team chanting his name and clapping for him, no matter how he performs.

After an exciting scrimmage, one coach of 4 and 5-year-old soccer players shouted: “Come on, boys. Let’s play ‘score on the coach’!” The boys laughed and cheered as their coach playfully kicked balls away from the goal. This up-beat volunteer described his desire for his team this way: “I want them to have a good appreciation for the ability God’s given them to play sports and, then, [learn] just the basics of the game and have fun.” There’s no unhealthy pressure in that. “I have limited experience, but seeing them having a good time, learning new things, and having fun as a team has been my favorite part so far…they seem to enjoy working together and playing together,” he said.

From the sidelines, to the soccer field, to home plate, character building takes center stage in Colonial’s spring sports. As kids get older, the competition level increases, but one thing doesn’t change: every child that hits a ball or kicks a goal does it knowing that there’s an encouraging team behind him or her. At Colonial, teamwork and a Christ-like attitude matter more than a high score; and, that’s one skill kids can carry with them throughout their lives.