Soccer player, referee likes to keep kids active

Robby Mueller’s best goal in soccer has been keeping kids involved.

Mueller, 18, of Post Falls, enjoys playing soccer almost as much as coaching it. He coaches his little brother’s soccer team every weekend and has coached basketball and some T-ball teams for the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department.

He said he’s always loved the sport and is developing a new reason to be involved through his players. Sometimes the kids lose interest, so he’s always working to get them excited and keep them playing long after the Parks and Recreation teams finish for the season.

“Keeping the kids active is the most important thing,” Mueller said. “Too many kids are inside all day playing video games. Their social life is having nobody to talk to.”

He said playing soccer has helped his confidence and ability to socialize. He feels comfortable starting conversations with strangers and meeting new people. The sport builds team skills and responsibility, he said.

Mueller started playing through the Post Falls Parks and Recreation teams when he was 8 years old. He kept playing through all age groups and became friends with the Parks and Recreation coaches and organizers. He continued with the sport by playing club soccer, then took a referee class. With the referee class, he was hired to start calling games at 13.

When it comes to being a referee, he said how players conduct themselves is crucial. When players pull cheap shots, he’s quick to pull them aside and stress sportsmanship.

“Everyone’s out there watching you,” he said. “How you conduct yourself is how everyone sees you.”

But he said it’s sometimes hard when parents and coaches push their kids to win. Sometimes parents want him to call every foul. With younger kids, the Parks and Recreation teams are meant to acclimate kids to the sport, he said. So he keeps his confidence with each call and try to coach kids through the rules.

But even when times get tough, he sticks to the sport to help him through.

“It gets me through the rough times,” he said. “When I’m frustrated, it’s been my outlet.”

Mueller is wrapping up his senior year at Post Falls High School. He’s played soccer for the school all four years, starting on the varsity team his freshman year. Last year, he dislocated his shoulder and missed half the year because of surgery. He had another surgery his senior year and is playing tennis with the other arm. To stay in shape, he runs nearly every day and does his best to stay active.

In addition to his school workload, playing piano for his church and coaching schedule, he spends his time as a camp counselor for the Parks and Recreation summer camp.

“They’re a great group,” he said. “Most of the things you do are outdoors, and I love doing that.”

Mueller, who got his Eagle Scout award this year, said he puts his Boy Scout background into play as a counselor by getting the kids out and teaching them to build things or learn new skills.

He said it’s been fun to see how many of the kids have grown since he started counseling with the program.

Mueller plans to attend North Idaho College and hopes to keep coaching. In his time coaching kids, he said, he’s become better at coaching than at playing. Whether it’s soccer, basketball or any other sport, he enjoys seeing kids involved and outside.

“I love helping kids and seeing them fall in love with sports and see them get excited,” he said.