Week 4: Team USA's Coach in Ann Arbor!



On the Y's Court!

Coach Ilze Gideons came to Ann Arbor yesterday! It was great to spend time on the court with her and my teammates from the Ann Arbor Y. It's been a stressful few weeks with school, work, and bringing netball into the high school schools. I've been doing this recruiting with the intention of sharing a game I love with others so that they might have the chance to fall in love with the game too. However, it's been brought up to me from an Ann Arbor player that this can put my spot on the team at risk. The motivation I have to continue to draw girls into the sport is a little clouded at the moment. I never thought of sharing my game to bring girls into the sport as a danger to my position on the team. I've made the squad but there are still cuts to be made. I find so much joy in sharing my sport that it's difficult to say that it's a negative thing. Although my motivation isn't as high as it was before this was brought up, I still feel moved to continue to share the game and this opportunity with others. Even if it is endangering my spot, it will encourage me to train smarter. I can continue to push to be the best and find joy in sharing with others.

It was a huge stress relief to connect with Ilze during Thursday night practice and afterword. It was good to just touch base and know that our team will have strong leadership that is rooted in something bigger than ourselves. At the end of the day, I have no hand in the decision about if I make the team but I know that there is a plan for this experience and I'm excited to see what happens.