First 11 Field Hockey 1

22 December 2018Mrs Alanna Martin; Photo by Paul Fletcher

If someone asked me if this team would go to provincials, I would have said ‘No’ because most of the athletes had less than one year of experience. This group of resilient women proved me wrong. The lessons were hard at the beginning as we lost by at least 5-0 to more skilled teams at the Friendship Cup. With coaches Denesha Doman and Andrew Haigh, athletes received one-on-one coaching and we started morning fitness sessions to prevent injuries and bond as a team. More tough lessons followed at the Ferreira and ISA Tournaments and in our league games, but the girls had great attitudes, focused on improving, accepted the fact that they were going to make mistakes, and committed to trying their best. They were rewarded by tieing, then beating, Frances Kelsey to secure second place in the North. At the Island Championships, with a berth to provincials on the line, students arrived from Brentwood to cheer on the girls. Led by Captain Jemma O, and Assistant Captains Lindsay W – and Brylee M in net – the defense was solid while Keeva O scored the only goal of the game. We were off to the provincials! Once again, we had a tough road ahead. We focused on what we could control and remained positive. One of my proudest moments as a coach was watching our team play the #1 ranked team. Woman for woman, they had more experience and skill, but we did not quit. Repeatedly we would get stripped of the ball, and, repeatedly, we would immediately double-back and defend. I could not have been prouder of their effort. By the end of the tournament, we had only lost two games against the top 15 teams in the province, tied one and won three. Pretty impressive. At the closing ceremonies, we were presented with the Fair Play Award: the first time ever for Brentwood and a fitting end to the season. From dressing up as gnomes, to bus rides and battles on the playing field, this group has many memories to cherish. They should be proud of everything they have accomplished; I know I am. Mrs Alanna Martin

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