Well I have a confession to make: I don't pay for my son's football training or his kit, shin pads or boots. Or even the hundreds of footballs he kicks in the hedge.

So, if I am not paying for football, what am I paying for?

- I pay for those moments when my boy becomes so tired he feels like quitting but doesn't.

- I pay for the opportunity that my boy can have and will have to make life-long friendships.

- I pay for the chance that he may have amazing coaches that will teach him that football is not just about game plays but about life.

- I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined.

- I pay for my boy to learn to take care of his body.

- I pay for my son to learn to work with others and to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member.

- I pay to help him learn to listen to others.

- I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when he doesn't get that goal he hoped for, or mis-controlled the ball despite having practiced a thousand times, but still gets up and is determined to do his BEST next time...

- I pay for my boy to learn to make and accomplish his goals in life.

- I pay for my son to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.

- I pay so that my son can be on the pitch instead of in front of a screen...

I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for football; I pay for the opportunities that football provides my child to develop attributes that will serve him well throughout his life, and give him the opportunity to bless the lives of others.

From what I have seen for many years, I think it is a great investment!