Why Charles Won’t Be Playing Footy Next Week

Balancing a young athlete’s schedule — and listening to what their body needs

Charles won’t be playing footy next weekend. And while it might seem like a small thing, for us it’s one of those decisions that takes a bit of back and forth, a few conversations, and a bit of mum-guilt too.

He absolutely loves playing football — he’s passionate about the game, he’s committed to his team, and he never wants to miss a match. But this time, footy has to take a back seat.

In just over a week, Charles will be flying over East for High-Performance coaching with Scotty, and we want to make sure he arrives feeling strong, rested, and ready to train at his best. Charles loves going to Scotty’s and he always comes home with a new trick. Right now, his body needs time to recover.

This past Friday, he played in his school’s AFL Winter Carnival — a full day of footy. On Saturday, he suited up again for his club team. Then we headed out for wakeboarding training in the afternoon — and it was clear his body was exhausted. He couldn’t land any of his tricks. He was frustrated, sore, and spent.

That was our cue.

For the parents who are juggling it all…

This is the part that’s hard — making a call that feels right for your child’s wellbeing, even when it might let someone else down.

If you’re in a similar place, here are a few reminders that help us when we’re wrestling with these decisions:

🔹 You’re not choosing favourites — you’re protecting longevity.
It’s not about one sport being better than another. It’s about pacing, so your child can keep doing what they love for the long haul — injury-free and still enjoying it.

🔹 Talk it through as a family.
We always involve Charles in these decisions. He understands what’s coming up and why we need to pull back sometimes. That shared understanding really helps.

🔹 Keep communication open with coaches.
We’re grateful to have understanding coaches and teams who know wakeboarding takes priority. Charles is already on a modified training program, and that open conversation makes all the difference.

🔹 You’re not failing anyone.
You’re modelling balance, boundaries, and self-care — lessons that matter just as much as the sport itself.

Charles will sit this week out, take the time to recover properly, and head into his training trip ready to give it everything. We are mindful of the cost, the sacrifice, the time away from both school and work to travel interstate for a training camp. And we want Charles to get the most from Scotty’s. That’s the bigger picture we’re holding on to.

And while it’s never easy to say no to something your child loves, sometimes saying no is exactly what helps them thrive. That’s the challenge of being the parent.