Soccer really wasn't popular here in the States when I was kid, but basketball was, so we would pick up a basketball and shoot hoops outside somewhere. As far as sticks go, I am with you, they made great all purpose toys and weapons. I had the little minitature green toy soldiers in a bucket when I was a kid and would play with them like crazy when I was little. I was mostly an outside kid, so even those made their way into the outdoors for playtime.

Hope you are doing well my friend.