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Even though I wasn't brought up in a sports-oriented setting, I chose to audition for Field Hockey during my high school years after being inspired by friends who had been participating in the sport since sixth grade. While many athletes begin at a young age and improve their abilities over time, I decided to take matters into my own hands and give it a try with the guidance of my supportive friends who were eager to instruct me.
Despite being sore during pre-season, I was determined to excel in field hockey.
My friend Emily Cole, a national field hockey star, provided me with support and guidance. While initially feeling out of place on the Junior Varsity team, I was inspired by my childhood friend Caitlyn, who played on both Varsity and Junior Varsity. This motivated me to improve my skills and work towards making the Varsity team the following season. I learned the importance of hard work and determination in achieving my goals.
During the summer of 2010, I dedicated myself to daily running and focused on improving my skills.
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Proficient in: Hockey
5 (204)
“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”
I remembered how it felt not being on the Varsity team and used that as motivation. By pre-season, I proved to Coach A that I deserved a spot on the team. My mile time went from ten minutes to under seven minutes in just one year. Even though Coach A rarely showed emotion, I could tell she was proud of my progress. One rainy day during pre-season, she had us practice indoors and then surprised us with our uniforms, signaling the end of practice.
We all sat and stretched out.
The coach said, “Returning varsity from last year, grab your uniform.” Once everyone had their uniform, she instructed Gabby to pick her number. I was thrilled to have a spot on the team, despite not being very athletic. I was determined to excel at the varsity level. My JV coach believed in my potential and pushed me to do better. Playing left forward as a righty was challenging, requiring precise stick placement for successful deflections into the goal. Field hockey demands aggression, a quality I needed to develop.
Despite being given the opportunity by Coach A to prove myself, I struggled on the field and did not start. While bonding with the older girls was enjoyable, sitting on the bench was not fulfilling. Even though our 2010 Field hockey team had an undefeated season and won a State Championship title, receiving a ring did not feel right to me. I felt like I did not contribute enough to deserve it, leading me to question my decision to be on the team in the first place.
Throughout the school year, I debated whether or not to try out for the team again. Despite feeling unappreciated and used, I was inspired by my friends leaving the Varsity team, leaving only standout player Emily. As my senior year approached, I hesitated but ultimately chose to continue playing. I couldn't give up after coming this far. To get better, I turned to Emily for help with conditioning and stick work after practice. I knew it was important to step up and support my team, even though it meant filling big shoes.
Leading up to the post-season, I recognized the need to confront my fears and challenge myself more than ever. Despite initial struggles and thoughts of quitting, I persisted with the support of my coach. As we entered the post-season undefeated, I understood the importance of stepping up. Remembering our coach's emphasis on a strong warm-up, I concentrated and took advantage of my chance to play. In a pivotal moment in the game, I positioned myself effectively and scored a goal that filled me with an amazing sense of achievement.
I recall the moment my team cheered on top of me and my coach's words of encouragement, "I knew you could do it!" The experience boosted my confidence and brought a sense of relief. It reminded me why I continued to play and didn't give up. Throughout the season, I was grateful for sticking with it as I emerged as one of the top scorers and secured a spot in the starting lineup. We defended our title by clinching another State Championship, and I proudly wore the ring we received. At the end of each season, our coach hosts a banquet where he gives us all a small gift and speaks about each player.
Coach A's praise for my development on the field and her confidence in my skills deeply impacted me. I thanked her for her influential coaching approach and constant encouragement. This experience emphasized the importance of persistence and strength – acknowledging that success comes with hard work and setbacks are a natural part of the journey. It inspired me to value resilience when overcoming challenges and pushing forward towards improvement.
Field hockey was not part of my initial plans, but thanks to friends who encouraged me to give it a try, I am grateful for the chance. This experience has shown me that having the right attitude and determination can help achieve any goal, even when obstacles arise. While some may give up when faced with difficulties, pushing through challenges exemplifies genuine ambition. Ultimately, each individual shapes their own character. As my coach always emphasized: "Quitters never win and winners never quit."
Overcoming Challenges in Field Hockey: A Journey of Determination. (2016, Nov 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/field-hockey-essay
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