It's been a few days but I'd rather have something semi conversational to write about than to write about nothing at all. I was watching the Women's World Cup today and couldn't help but think back to my youth( I say that as though I'm a 40 year old woman) and the many, many, many years I played soccer. I played for 15 years, most of which were spent in the goal (I was the goalie). For all of the trouble (physically and financially) that I put my parents through, I can't thank them enough for allowing me the opportunity to gain a sense of leadership and friendship for those 15 years.
I coach the girls JV team at the school I teach and my players tell me that when they play on their club teams, they don't have fun; they say it's more of a job than fun. Yes, soccer should be taken seriously but it shouldn't always be about winning. I can remember having some of the best times of my life on my club team because I was friends with all the players on the team and we were all playing something that we loved. Back then, all I thought about was being a professional soccer player, then I played for high school and those thoughts changed. Yes, I had a blast playing in high school, when I got to play, but I soon realized that high school sports are all about politics and not talent. Even though I wasn't given a chance to show how good I really was, I must have been good enough to be offered a scholarship at a private college. To all of those people who thought I wasn't up to par: "SUCK IT!!!" Not that I'm bitter or anything because I turned the scholarship down and really focused on something more important than a sport that wasn't going to get me anywhere in life: my education. I decided that playing a college sport was far more intense than I had imagined. Needless to say, my dad was so pissed that I turned the scholarship down. Honestly here's the low down on that school. The coach was going to give physical tests before each game to see who would get to put a jersey on, who would sit on the bench, and who would play. Also, the coach would come into my classes with me, make sure I was paying attention, AND was sitting in the front row of classes. If I wanted to be under that close of supervision, I would have gone to jail involuntarily.
Now that soccer was off of my plate I could solely focus on my education in education, well, special education. BUT WAIT....it just so happened that one of my high school friends played for the college rugby team and was recruiting. Me? Play rugby? What is rugby? Yeah, that's right...I decided to play. Little did I know that playing rugby for 3 years would turn into one of the best times in my life. What other sport do you get to tackle people for fun? And no, football doesn't count because you wear padding. Now rugby is a sport all about teamwork. I was the team slut. Not literally; I was just moved around into all different positions. I was a prop, flanker, 8 man, fly-half and full-back. I consider myself multi-talented :) Anyways, some of the friends that I made playing rugby are far better than most of the friendships I made playing soccer.
After I graduated college I got lucky and got a job working in the same high school where I attended. During the summer before my second year of teaching, I received an e-mail from the athletic director asking if I wanted to coach the girls JV team. WHAT?? Me coach soccer??? What's that about??? Oh, that's right...I played for the same team when I was there. I responded quickly with an "Of course." I can honestly say that after my first season of coaching, I miss some of my old soccer teammates. It's weird being on the other side of the team; coaching rather than playing. It brings back good memories and although I want the girls to have fun, I am definitely going to be A LOT more strict this upcoming season.
So this was a long post! If it makes sense...cool. If not...that's cool too. I know what's up. IT'S ALMOST FRIDAY.
Oh, and from now on I will have a countdown on how many days are left until I leave for NYC for a mini, but extremely fun, vacay!
15 MORE DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE FOR NYC!!!
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