Season ended yesterday, with us drawing with JJC 0-0 (bad luck match with so many balls hitting the post. #@$*&#@$$%), won PJC 2-0 (savour the victory), lost to VJC 3-0 (good fight put up), lost to ACJC 6-0 (stupidest mistake ever). We played our last match against SAJC and lost 3-0. But I'm glad we gave our best, though there's so much more that we can improve on. But it's all over now and I shall not harp on it.
Joining hockey is probably one of the very few decisions that I made myself and I'm proud of. Hockey is more than a CCA; it taught me so much, gave me so much happiness, stress, fun and friendship. It's amazing how we started out as pure strangers but eventually, came together to undergo all tough trainings and work as a team and joining A Divisions. From all the suicides, intervals, triangles, butterflies, drills, fitness and strenghtening, to all the fun, laughter, sweat, tears, blood, injuries, every moment still seems so real, even up till this point. I've never regretted joining hockey, even when fitness seems to be so tough, I feel like giving up, my teammates will always be there to spur me on. Even when I'm sad and stressed about friendlies or matches, they'll be there to calm me down and tell me I can. Simple words like "Don't worry, you'll do fine." makes wonder and is really what keeps me going and feel like giving my all for the team.
And the fact that we never seem to get enough of each other, make me even harder to let go now. From trainings, to meals, to mugging-turn-stress-hence-ball-hitting sessions to making fun of each other whenever we see each other in school during breaks, I could remember everything so clearly like I'm flipping a book now. When everything seems tough and I thought school sucks to the max, they came into my life and make me look forward to school everyday(especially after school). We became so close like a family. And the D is like our home. Whenever I feel sad or angry or stressed, I know I can always go back home, to hit some balls and my family will always be there.
I've learnt so much from hockey. There are times when we were pissed with each other during trainings, but I've learnt to let things that happened on the pitch remained there. I've learnt not to say sorry on the pitch; learnt to motivate myself; learnt to accept every individual for who they are; learn so much, so much...
Some people may think we are ridiculous, being so emox after every match, and especially now when our season has ended, I just want to tell these people. Don't think you understand us, 'cos you are not in our position. You don't know how much this means to us so I would appreciate if you could give your two cents worth of comment to yourself.
And to people who have always been very supportive of us, THANKS A LOT. Thanks to the guys for coming down to support us every match, thanks to 17/08 for being so supportive and wishing me good luck before every match, and thanks to anyone else who supported us. And to those who think who couldn't make it, thanks for doubting us and making us want to prove to you all we can do it.
To those who pin so much hopes on us, especially Saiful and Ms Tay: Sorry, we let you down.
There are so many "if only" that I could think of now. Like if only we started our trainings earlier; if only we trained harder; if only this, if only that. But I'm more than glad that we've come so far, to where we are now. We didn't reach our goals of getting to the semis, but we are like one of the team with only 3 experienced players in the Top 6. We all started learning hockey from scratch and started proper training in around August 2008. But we have all improved so much since we started out. I guess what we lack of is experience, and for that, I really have no regrets and I'm glad we are able to make it to the Top 6.
To tell people that I'm ok is really a lie. 'cos it's just so hard to let go. But I will move on soon and focus on my studies and do well for my A's to shut some peoples mouth shut.
I will miss trainings so much, so much from now on. Even if I were to choose again, I will still choose hockey, with no hesitation.
TEAM AJC 2008-2009
I'm a high school player.
I'm a team player.
I play with my friends and with some of my enemies, but I respect everyone when it comes to my sport.
I know I'm not going to get a multi-million dollar contract to play professionally. I know I may not even get my name in the paper.
I play for love of the game.
For the pride and honor, for the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to make the team, to earn the spot, to win the game.
I play because I can, I play because I know that my life would be empty without the sport I play.
I would have a lack of everything my sport gives me... integrity, courage, talent, fearlessness, pride, strength, stamina, will, and the heart of a champion.
If I didn't play, I would lose a part of me.
I'm an athlete. I'm a girl.
I'm a champion, not because my team always wins, but because when we don't, we learn from our mistakes.
We try to fix them, and most of all because we have fun.
I have built lifelong friendships and memories because of my being an athlete.
I leave everything on the field or court and continue to push myself.
I am never happy with second place, but I have learned to accept it.
I have learned to get over and through my anger and be the athlete and player I have always dreamed of being.
I don't play for my parents, for my family, for my friends; I don't play for my coach or my teachers or my school.
I play for myself but when I'm playing I represent them.
It isn't about winning or losing, but I hate to lose.
I won't settle for a tie, and I am not satisfied with 100%.
To play, you have to sacrifice everything, your body, your time, your sweat, blood, and tears, everything... for your team.
I am a player, and athlete and a champion, not because I know what it is like to win, but because I know what it is like to lose.
I know what it is like to feel the anger and pain that comes along with "second best."
I have been that girl with tears in her eyes, walking out to receive the second place trophy and clapping as the other team, my opponents, receive the first place one.
I know what it is like to lose, to win, to want to quit, to want to cry, to not want to get up.
I know what it is like to hear the cheers and yells for you.
I know what it is like to feel the pressure of everyone on your shoulders, and I know what it is like to choke under that pressure.
I know what it means to be an athlete, a true player, and that is why I play.
I am an athlete, a champion, a true player."
--- "An Athlete's Pride"
No comments:
Post a Comment