We've all seen one of the many motivational sports movies: a coach pushes a team to greatness, lives are changed, and the team wins. I experienced my own story, now tritely titled "Strength of the Buffalo," this weekend at the iSC soccer tournament.
Setting and Characters: The high school girls' team consists of two 6th graders, two 7th graders, and one 8th (gaolie). Then we have five 9th graders and one 10th grader (injured), meaning our oldest high school player is in 9th grade and our youngest in 6th. There are 11 girls altogether, and 7 on the field at a time, meaning 3 subs are available.
And here's the schedule: First game starts at 8 am. After each 45 minutes of a game (5 minute half), the girls have a 50 minute break, and then play again...times 5. The first day includes a total of 200 minutes of playing time.
The plot: One character, "Boot," is the impenetrable defense force on the team. Nothing can get past her. Her backup, the newbie, is a blonde French 9th grader who shocks all with her skill and determination. The force of forwards consists of one Ball of Determination with 0% body fat, Lightning Bolt "K," and a new-to-offense 7th grader, Screaming "P". Together, the team (meaning all of them, not one sitting on the sidelines for long) persevere through extreme difficult: Lightning Bolt "K" gets sick on day 1 after the 3rd game, 10th grader injures leg, 7th grade goalie gets a bloody nose, etc. All go to sleep at 8:30 on the night of day 1. On day 2 of the tournament, the team fights their way to the semi-finals, with the help of 6th grader "5 foot Dynamite" and her compadre Defense "D". All are amazed at the perseverance and stamina of the young players.
And in the final scene, the team is playing their last game (game 3 of day 2, game 8 of the weekend). They give their all as their opponent frequently sends in subs to replace the entire team. The middle schoolers hold their own against juniors and seniors on the opposition. The high schoolers push themselves to heights unknown. They give it all. The score is tied. They go into a 10 minute overtime, running on shere determination and character. There is a shoot out. They lose by one.
As the girls fell to the ground of pure exhaustion and disappointment, a coach was glad for the sunglasses that hid the formation of tears. They were not tears of disappointment, but of pride: for a team that gave everything and deserved more than they got. For character in perseverance and determination beyond what she herself knew she had. For a world in which one's best is simply not always enough to win. But in her heart, they were winners...and she was proud.
I know, sounds a bit corny, but people seem to have a thing for that.
Girls, I couldn't be prouder and more amazed at your awesomeness.
Setting and Characters: The high school girls' team consists of two 6th graders, two 7th graders, and one 8th (gaolie). Then we have five 9th graders and one 10th grader (injured), meaning our oldest high school player is in 9th grade and our youngest in 6th. There are 11 girls altogether, and 7 on the field at a time, meaning 3 subs are available.
And here's the schedule: First game starts at 8 am. After each 45 minutes of a game (5 minute half), the girls have a 50 minute break, and then play again...times 5. The first day includes a total of 200 minutes of playing time.
The plot: One character, "Boot," is the impenetrable defense force on the team. Nothing can get past her. Her backup, the newbie, is a blonde French 9th grader who shocks all with her skill and determination. The force of forwards consists of one Ball of Determination with 0% body fat, Lightning Bolt "K," and a new-to-offense 7th grader, Screaming "P". Together, the team (meaning all of them, not one sitting on the sidelines for long) persevere through extreme difficult: Lightning Bolt "K" gets sick on day 1 after the 3rd game, 10th grader injures leg, 7th grade goalie gets a bloody nose, etc. All go to sleep at 8:30 on the night of day 1. On day 2 of the tournament, the team fights their way to the semi-finals, with the help of 6th grader "5 foot Dynamite" and her compadre Defense "D". All are amazed at the perseverance and stamina of the young players.
And in the final scene, the team is playing their last game (game 3 of day 2, game 8 of the weekend). They give their all as their opponent frequently sends in subs to replace the entire team. The middle schoolers hold their own against juniors and seniors on the opposition. The high schoolers push themselves to heights unknown. They give it all. The score is tied. They go into a 10 minute overtime, running on shere determination and character. There is a shoot out. They lose by one.
As the girls fell to the ground of pure exhaustion and disappointment, a coach was glad for the sunglasses that hid the formation of tears. They were not tears of disappointment, but of pride: for a team that gave everything and deserved more than they got. For character in perseverance and determination beyond what she herself knew she had. For a world in which one's best is simply not always enough to win. But in her heart, they were winners...and she was proud.
I know, sounds a bit corny, but people seem to have a thing for that.
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| The middle school high school team |
That's amazing! Great job team!
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