SPORTS!

I finally have time to sit down and type :)

I would like to share with you my experience of the Sports Carnival here in my college where all four houses compete against each other. There are two things in particular that made this year's Sport Carnival, a meaningful one. To begin with, this year I was selected as the Captain of Garnet's netball team. I have always loved playing netball and have been playing since I was 11, so yes, netball does have a special place in my heart. So, with this huge responsibility placed on my shoulders and with the natural innate desire to win, I had my eyes set on winning Gold ;)

GOLD BABY GOLD

Netball never bores me because up to this day, there is always something I can improve or upgrade thus it's a continuous challenge for me. But this year, being captain changed things. Normally when I play, my head is filled with what I should do, improve and focus on. But this time, my head was filled with thoughts of my teammates' strength and weaknesses and how best to arrange the team (I'd write down in my notes everyday on what the team needs to improve on and strategies). I vehemently believe that learning transcends the walls of a classroom especially when it comes to  the nurturing of values and skills. It was this simple job of being Captain where I was given this avenue to think like, experience and be a leader. I was a step away from my shallow thoughts that concerned of myself and with me at the centre to a thinking of what's needed and what's best collectively for the team. 

                                         

   Us doing some drills before the match we had against Diamond

I was lucky to have teammates that are good netball players so my job was relatively easy. The challenge I faced was to be able to consider everybody's opinion and request but ultimately having to make the final decision. I understood that as a leader, you don't necessarily have to be the best, but instead your main purpose is to connect people, arrange and strategize, basically be the mastermind of the team. I will admit, I did face some problems along the way, and facing them was not easy because I wanted to do a good job without any flaws, but now when I look back, I realized that it comes with the job, you'll inevitably face some problems so you've just got to toughen up and push through.

                                          

                              Not all of us are in this picture, missing: Fara and Maryam

I will always remember the last match we had as a team. We were against a really strong team-physically we were the 'underdogs' but skill-wise we were on par. I remember how tired we all were trying to maintain the lead up to the last second, tired, but still keeping ourselves together. Although we won by only a point against the other house, it was not by luck and I owe it to my teammates who remained strong till the end :)

                                           

                               I find this picture hilarious and inspiring at the same time

Another thing that made this year's Sports Carnival, special, is that I joined a new sport! One which I never thought I could be good at.. VOLLEYBALL :D 

 

ME SERVING! 

I think I owe my fast growth in this new sport to our Volleyball Captain, Horng. From observing how he teaches people and leads (which I also applied as captain of netball), I learnt how to practice smartly. Although sports is a physical activity (obviously), brainwork and thoughts must be applied as well. When you play, it's not just about putting tons of hours repeating the same thing but to also actively involve your brain as well in the sense that you think about what you are doing and the rational behind doing it and this combined brain and body synergy accelerates the learning process.

     

               One of my teammates was killing it with her serves (so padu) I had time to pose for a picture hehehe XD

I had a very supportive and loyal group of friends who rooted me throughout the Sports Carnival and went to my matches. A shout-out to Ester and Raihana (who went to almost all of my matches), my main cheerleading duo, thank you guys, it means a lot to me. I guess it's time to slow down on my sporting activities and give more love and attention to my studies. I have my trials coming up at the end of this month and my A2 CIE exams in May. Do pray for me dear readers. Till I write again, take care.