Day 4 - Play as a team - and you'll be unstoppable

I am not really used to being on my own. I have my own room with no-one sharing with me. After being married so young, at 18, I basically went from being a teenager living at home to moving in with my hubby, to then having 2 kids not long after (who are both basketballers too now). I can count on one hand the amount of nights I have spent on my own, and by the end of Nationals it will be more than my entire life till now.

Interestingly that means that there are some girls in my team that are the same age I was when I got engaged. But enough about me. It's just a reflection on how much I love company. 

I was awoken this morning, by one of the girls, who was concerned about a player as they weren't acting themselves as they woke. I am not a morning person either, but the difference is this player is a diabetic. All I can say is how much respect I have for Type 1 diabetics. They manage food, and their lifestyle so incredibly well. It is amazing that a young lady, only 16 years old, and an elite athlete juggles all that she needs to with such incredible ease that we don't even realise that its happening. A real credit to her, and to her parents for the support and coping skills they have passed onto her. 

She joined the walk to have a chat with the coach and that was my cue to get the scrambled eggs underway. I may have over done it......actually I probably made enough eggs to also feed our competition, but more about them later.
We were fortunate to have a bit of an earlier game today so there wasn't too much we needed to do to fill in the day. The coaches got the girls to watch yesterdays game and gave them the chance to see what went well and what they can do better. It was a good opportunity for them to not only critique themselves and each other. I was not spared from the critique either, I was questioned as to why there was one time out that I did not supply the teams with the water bottles (a task that is the bread and butter of a basketball team manager). I was happy to explain myself, just a case of returning to the change room for a replacement asthma puffer, but was great to be included in the team assessment, and gave me a bit of chuckle. 

It was just what I needed, as I had shed a quiet tear this morning as while the girls and coaches were watching the video I was receiving text messages from mums back home. My husband was coaching and both my daughters were playing basketball at 2 different locations back in NSW, and apparently my younger daughter Boston was playing incredibly well in a Semi Final for the Central Coast Academy of Sport in the ClubsNSW Academy Games. It was great to hear how she was going, but to get so many messages I knew she was doing awesome, and as one of the youngest players in the squad I was so proud. But of course I was not there to see it myself. I know that I am probably a big sook, but a reflective moment to appreciate your managers as they are often making sacrifices to be there for you. I know my team are grateful. Thanks my chickadees and coaches. 

I thought that the girls might like to hit the grocery shop for some room snacks (healthy of course).  gave each room some cash and off they went while I collected a few necessary bits and pieces. They were stoked to be able get out and do a spot of shopping.
When we got home it was time to eat lunch which we once again got to do in the sunshine. It's so peaceful here. It's not exactly like being on holidays but it's nice to have somewhere like this to retreat to between games and commitments. 

The uniforms were a little damp still so we hung them out in the sunshine. This helped, but some were still a little bit wet. The girls are so sweet and don't make me feel like an idiot about it, they just carry on and not another word is spoken about it. Bless them. 

Our girls are ready, and quite adamant that they wanted to come home with a win.My friend Gerard was there to greet me near the changerooms again, and he remembered my name too. Impressive. No real signs of nerves, just determination.

The girls had all brought some washing for their parents so while they were preparing for the game I distributed the stinky laundry bags. It was great to catch up with a couple of parents who had arrived later and then made my way for the last team chat before we hit the court. 

It was truly a great game. The girls smashed it, and after being down by 1 point at half time staged a great comeback to win by 18. They dug deep. The amazing thing is that I still don't even think we have seen the best of them yet. Pretty exciting thought. 

Lots of hugs and high fives from the family and supporters. It was great to have a win under our belts. I was so proud of how the girls lifted in the second half and really worked hard and as a team. 

After kissing the parents good bye, we headed off to watch the NSW Metro team as they had some tough competition in the VIC Metro sqaud. We watch most of it and cheered them on. It was great to see Shannon Seabohm there, who I had met last year through being a member at the Sydney Uni Flames. He is such a cool guy, and deserving of all his coaching successes. 

Dinner would have been tricky to work out tonight until a stoke of genius from the AC where we would do a simple pasta dish and package it in takeaway containers to take to yet another NSW team's game to support them too. So we went home, and the girls showered while I got dinner together. 

Sadly earlier that day a young man from Queensland had done a knee injury in the warm ups. It was heartbreaking to see and our thoughts went out to him. He was taken out in an ambulance, but of course as he couldn't be moved delayed the games on that court, so by the time we finally arrived they were only just starting. 

The girls ate their pasta while the NSW Country boys played, and won!! 

So finally we all get to head home, and with finally some time on my hands I headed to laundry to do the ever fabulous washing of the uniforms. I must say I love the industrial washing machines that are here. Fast and awesome for a time poor team manager.

I am interested tonight as I read through many reports on the Nationals down here. You'd be mistaken for thinking that there aren't even any girls teams here. So many websites just reporting on the boys program. I feel quite strongly about the inequality for women in our sport. We have incredible talent, yet there is not equal support or coverage. Our young ladies have equally sacrificed, and trained to be here.....they simply deserve the same as the boys. The boys club aspect of sport is only exacerbated by some coaches and I agree our games are different, but that doesn't mean its inferior. Its time to be real men and encourage your young players to support their female counterparts and as parents of young men, consider what messages you are sending your sons. And of course thank you to those who continue to be a shining light for women's basketball.

Our day is finally complete and the night is going to be cold, so the girls pop over for a warm Milo and we are all off to bed with tomorrow being another opportunity to show what we are made of.