I set my alarm this morning just a little bit earlier than the girls so I could set up breakfast and basically go back to bed for a bit. Night after night having gone to bed after midnight was making it harder to get out of bed. But certainly been worth it.
There are a few rustlings in the house that tells me the girls are starting to get up. I hear them tinkering away in the kitchen, obviously getting breakfast as they have done each morning. Soon I hear the coaches voice telling the girls it's time for their walk. So off they go. I know its cold by the comments as they walk out the door.
News begins to filter in that the favourites (and winners for the last 16 years) were now our competitors in the bronze medal match. They had lost their Semi in a controversial match up. This was the team that we had lost to in the pool rounds and whilst the girls had confidence, it was obvious that it made them nervous too.
I decide that we need some junk food for after the game. The girls have not been allowed to indulge whilst we have been here so knowing that this is our last game of Nationals means a treat for the girls is definitely in order. I talk with the coach about how after the game we should invite the parents back for a bit of a presentation and a few words about each of the girls. So off I toddle to the supermarket to pick up some entertaining snacks and lollies for the kids.
While I am gone they have gotten dressed and are anxious to have their team meeting and head off. But they opt to watch a bit of TV to pass the time. Finally they get the nod from the coaches that they can come and check out the tape of the game and talk about their match ups.
They come out of the meeting looking determined and off they go into the bus. The coach and I take a deep breath, he looks at me and says "well this is it". We have had a crazy 10 days, and we both can't believe how fast it has gone.
We arrive and have heaps of time to prepare for the game and I go on the hunt for the team photos. The photographers were not available at the desk at the time I went so I asked around a bit to some of the friendly and familiar faces I've come to know. They were saying that they should be back soon.
Fifteen minutes later, those lovely familiar faces had located them and got them to bring over to my court. Fabulous, but I don't let the girls see them as they will simply just get distracted saying how much they hate their photo (girls these days).
The girls look relaxed, which is great. A far cry from the very nervous bunch that arrived at the Arena 10 days ago. The game starts and there is huge support for us from the crowd. Noise makers, screams and cheers fill the stadium, it really was an incredible feeling, I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it. The girls play incredibly and when the final buzzer sounded we were the WINNERS!!! A 3 point win, and boy were the girls excited, not to mention our coaches. Our Assistant Coach picked up our Coach, and I am not sure his back and ribs will ever be the same. But truly exciting as I look around and there is not a dry eye around me and in the stands. We huddle in and then link arms in a line and wave at the parents and supporters in the stands. A very special moment indeed. We break tradition and let the girls run to see their parents straight away. I think I am in shock as we had beaten 'the unbeatable' team.
There are lots of hugs and well wishes. I made sure I saw each parent and gave them a big hug and thanking them for their support. What a brilliant bunch of parents.
We depart and tell them all we will see them soon back at our place. The coach fields message after message from well wishers from around the basketball community.
As soon as I arrive home I quickly set up for the parents to come and then pop back out again to get the kids McDonalds. Another treat for their efforts. No one complained about that at all. The parents give me a lovely gift, as well as the coaches. I am super lucky as I get a chance to thank the parents, the coaches and the girls for a brilliant experience.
The parents all start to leave and we start to get ready to head back to the stadium for our NSW country men's gold medal match and the closing ceremony where we will receive our Bronze Medal. I check my phone to find no messages. I guess when you win, people don't think to congratulate the manager. But that's ok, the medal is as much mine as the rest of the team.
The boys take out the gold in their match, meaning both NSW Country teams are coming home with medals. During the match I read the most heart warming post on Facebook.
"Very proud husband. Wifey has been working her butt off over the past few months arranging everything as manager for the 16 girls NSW country basketball team. All her hard work and countless hours paid off today as the team finished with the bronze medal. 3rd best team in Australia but the BEST manager in Australia. Well done. Maybe you will get the opportunity next year to go a couple of places better?????"
This made my heart happy!
The closing ceremony starts and we are the first up. It feels good to get a medal. I have never been a real sporty person myself so never really experienced this apart from being a manager. So awesome. Lots of pictures and hugs and congrats from all those around.
The fun begins when we get home, the excitement from the girls means that we have a very noisy household for a long time tonight. The girls all decide to bunk in together for their last night. I have no washing to do, but look at the clock and it's already midnight. I haven't even had dinner yet. I am go through the kitchen to see what sort of food we have left. I choose some left over pizza while I blog. The morning will be busy, so I hope that it all comes together.
What an incredible time I've had here. I can't believe its all over.
No comments:
Post a Comment