A fulfilling friday
(: Made a trip back to SMB Sec for Netball training.
Gosh! I felt so rusty not having trained for a year?
However, it's always a joy to get to know my juniors each time i return.
Hmmm..Let me recall some of the names i remember distinctly.
ShuXian, Jamie, Sharon, ShuHui, YiLing, Yvonne
Nasha..
Most of them are in what i called the laughing group.
:D haha.
I was impressed by the captain - Nasha
She holds an authority that people just submit to her,
well, not only is she a strong player, she's also one w good attitude too.
That rounds up a good leader, i believe the team will be well led!
I see lots of potential in my netball girls.
There were lots of unspoken words in my heart when I was there.
Seeing them train, wanting to give up, pushing themselves all the way,
giving their best to get into the netball team...
I reminisce the days when I was once a netballer in SMB sec,
how i dreamt to get into the netball team,
having a strong desire to achieve awards/trophies.
Although I wasn't a prominent player in the team,
my commitment was 100%,
I never missed one training in my 4years
(except times when I'm sick)
With merely 5 committed netballers in my batch,
I thought, " How is it possible? "
But I didn't allow my dream to die,
I gave my best in every trainings,
always learning from my seniors (LiJie, JingLan, Joc..)
Sec 1..I didnt get into the team (C div')
Sec 2.. I didnt get into the team still. (C div')
reason being that there were SHORT of players,
my heart sank, i was discouraged.
"Maybe my dream will not come true.."
But things took a turn when we changed coach - Mr Tamil.
When we changed coach yet again,
to be truthful, I was doubtful,
my thoughts were like,"Another new coach, what's next?"
Seriously, we had 4 coaches (Two chinese, one indian, one caucasian) in 2 years.
Mr Tamil being the 5th, makes any difference?
Yes, he did!
I can tell you today, he shook things upside down!
Under his leadership,
the netball FAMILY is formed.
He's the one that bonded us all together,
one that cares for us from family to academic matters.
Since then, Netball has never been the same.
The number grew each year..
can u believe it? my batch had 5 girls,
Siying's batch had 4 commited ones maybe?
But from Susan's batch onwards,
it began to multiply! (:
Was it just pure luck? I reckon not.
Each training from day 1 (sec3),
he incorporate new skills to us,
from the basics to the advanced. (:
Of course, there were lots of repetition,
but dont despise that yo!
"Repetition is the mother of retention"
We grew stronger physically and mentally each training.
Time flies and yes, its time for selection!
I remember clearly i was at the borderline,
chances of being selected was 50-50.
I had to compete w sec 3s(my batch), 4s and 5s
to get into main 12,
feels like david and goliath though..
I remember specifically Mr tamil talked to me during selection,
"YuLing, give me your best!"
And yes, i gave my best,
not only did i give my best in the selection,
i gave my best since i stepped into Netball,
by turning up for every training.
Guess what, I was selected! (:
And I was the youngest player (the only sec3) in the team.
I was elated and i couldn't believe it.
I'm finally one huge step towards my dream!
So the day of competition-north zone arrived,
to our surprise, we won the first match and the second.
It was an achievement then.
However, we didn't make it to the second round.
It didn't just stop there though,
opportunities come and we managed to take part in the 2nd league.
It was a start of success for the team.
We cruised our way through to the quarter-finals,
I believe till now, it was God's grace.
The defining moment was the day we compete w a school for a place in semi-finals.
It was nerve wrecking that day,
we were down by a couple of points and eventually beat them by two points!
The screamings of joy and sight of tears and hugs were still evident in my head.
we made it to the TOP4!
*BREAKING RECORD IN HISTORY OF SMB SEC NETBALL*
My dream was FULFILLED! (:
Why did i say it was God's grace,
I believe God made it happen,
His favour was upon us.
There was one team that we lost to during quarter finals and they DID NOT
make it to the semi-finals.
God's hands must be upon us during the drawing of lots,
also when we play our matches.
Since then, SMB netball gained reputation till now.
From the year 2005,
the SMB netball team has been improving in skills,
teamwork and has been achieving!
(:
I'm proud of my netball family,
really am!
I'm thankful for Mr Tamil,
who believed in us since day one,
that chose to make the change
and impact all of our lives.
(:
Never despise small beginnings,
the smallest seeds(when nurtured), become the biggest trees.
With hands held up high,
"If i haven't told you that I've forgiven you,
13 Oct 2009
Dearest Grace,