This weekend the Trinity Meteors hosted a tournament. My team, Portlaoise Panthers was scheduled to have three games. I was so anxious! The last time I put on a jersey for a competition was in March. When my college team lost in the conference tournament, I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to compete again. Well this weekend was the weekend… back at it again! At the tournament I was able to see some other scholars, and I even had the chance to play against them too. I played against, Simone & Rebecca from Trinity, and Jenna & Kolyns from Ulster. It is hard to describe the feeling I had while warming up for the first game of the tournament. For four years I played for the same team, wore the same uniform, and had the same routine each and every game. While those years flew by so fast, it felt odd not having my routine… (for example, braiding my teammates hair before the game).
Saturday against the Meteors was the first time our team played together. We did well. I love my teammates. It is not easy being the new kid on the squad, but these girls don’t’ let me feel like I am the newbie, they have welcomed me into their Portlaoise family more than I ever expected. Along with my teammates is my coach, Peter. Peter and, wife Sinead, have been extremely kind to me and make me feel at home. I had all sorts of emotions before my first game… but it was very helpful to have the support of my teammates and coach to make it a better experience. Overall the weekend went pretty well. Although our record didn’t show it, our team got better after each game. I am really looking forward to playing under a new coach and with new girls. Our first game is October 6th in St. Mary’s Hall at 7.30 pm!! I am counting down the days. I am back at it! Back to playing, back to having team laughs, back to having 2 hour practices, back to the routine that I have lived by for the past eight years or so. I am so fortunate and cannot thank Sport Changes Life enough for giving me this opportunity. I am back and so excited for this upcoming year!
