There was no cheering last night at my son’s soccer game.

Why?  Our Town is doing a “week of silence” on the soccer field with a goal to show everyone that soccer should be fun for the kids.

How is it going so far?

“The kids overwhelmingly said the game was more fun; they liked playing and not being yelled at,” says a statement on the Aurora Youth Soccer Club’s website when describing the reaction from other associations who have tried this idea.

However, the kids on my son’s team disagreed.  I asked them after the game whether or not they enjoyed the quiet or if they preferred the cheering.  The response?  They missed the cheering.  One child said “I like the noise”.

Coaches also couldn’t cheer or shout instructions during the game.  They were only able to give instructions before the game, at halftime and on sidelines.

Some parents were finding it difficult to keep quiet – myself included!

“Parents admitted to having a difficult time initially remembering the silent part,” the statement said.

I can see how some parents and coaches can add pressure to a child and affect them emotionally.  But soccer is a competitive sport – is there anything wrong with cheering kids on?

What do you think?