Practice with the Littles Provides Excitement and Mentorship

Students on the Upper School Soccer team connected with their younger counterparts in a mixed-grade activity.

The fall and spring athletics seasons allow longstanding soccer coaches Neil Curran and Amelia Chauhan to orchestrate a recurring “practice with the littles.” This seasonal tradition invites older athletes to engage in practice and scrimmage activities with the next generation of Parker Colonels, sharing their love of the sport. One of several practices Curran holds each season, the activity connects all three divisions through sport, which he views as a powerful way to live out the school’s true motto and ethos.

“What makes this practice so special is the ripple effect it creates,” shared Curran. “For our youngest players, sharing the field with Upper Schoolers they look up to makes the game come alive. They leave excited, inspired, and eager to keep playing. For our Upper School athletes, it’s a chance to lead, mentor, and see firsthand the impact they have on younger students.”

He continued, “Over time, that energy builds something bigger: a pipeline of kids who fall in love with the sport early, stay with it longer, and arrive in our Upper School programs more skilled and more invested. Intentionally facilitating moments like this is one of the best ways we can raise the competitive level of soccer at Parker as a whole.”

These regular gatherings continue to earn rave reviews from student-athletes and parents/guardians alike, with one parent sharing, “This is what Parker is all about. Big kids and little kids being together, doing something fun, and just enjoying themselves.”

Enjoy photos from the fun here.