Back To Back Runs

A year ago this month, I took a chance on fourteen 12-year-old soccer players, creating a brand new competitive team from scratch. Many of the players were in our recreational programs at NorWest, but I saw the potential they had to take their game to the next level.

Now, after just one year of training together as a competitive team, the girls are unbeaten this summer, winning three and drawing the other in their first four matches. Tomorrow night we play what is likely our biggest game of the season to this point. But after the start to the season we’ve had, the girls enter the match full of confidence, and uber aware of how to grind out a result when things get tough.

This project, one year ago, was a gamble. I simply didn’t know if our recreational players would even want to play competitive, if we could convince other quality competitive players to join us and raise the level, and if we could make the team good enough to compete at a high level. Less than a year on, we’ve achieved all of that. After hard work and dedication from everyone involved to the cause (i.e. parents and players), we now have one of the most well-functioning teams I’ve ever coached. As the summer season enters its zenith, there’s already discussions about moving the players onto a higher level next year, and seeing what other heights this group can accomplish.

I present this as a case to all reading to chase after what you want. If you get an idea that you think could work, don’t shy away from it over fears that it might not work. If you’ve been inspired by the Olympics and want to try a new sport, maybe even with the dream of one day making it there like your idols, go for it! But if you think it’s not going to work, or that you won’t be good enough, then guess what – you won’t be good enough and it won’t work. If you have a fear of things not working out the way you planned, it will always become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You have to approach your ideas, your hopes and your dreams, with a positive attitude. And remember that just about anything is possible with the right amount of work and the right attitude. So don’t be afraid. Chase after what you want. Chase after your dreams. And they can, maybe even will, come true.

Thanks for reading and see you soon!