PROVINCIAL BOUND!

I guess I have been spoiled since I re-emerged and started the second phase of my coaching evolution in 1998.

After winning three city championships, a GTHL West final and a Provincial silver medal in five years, I'm thinking that maybe I tend to set the bar of expectation too high. Even if I keep these goals to myself, I still am disappointed when they do not materialize.

Call it ego, call it a case of centralized, self serving and sometimes misguided confidence, I just expect to win, season after season, team after team. When I don't, I stress and try to fix the problem, no matter what the ultimate cost. That brings me to the point of this post.

It's a sobering lesson I have had to digest over the past two seasons. Just because I want something to happen, simply because I pour my heart and soul into something and will it to be, it doesn't always work out as planned.

One of the lessons I learned early on in coaching, I seemed to forget the last two years. That no matter how much I try, regardless of inspirational speeches, I cannot make my players feel the passion and sheer excitement that this game brings to me. I can only hope they buy into and believe in the message, from there, it is up to them.

I have tried to back off from the burning intensity I brought to the bench in years past. I have tried to remain consistent in my approach with the team. The main focus of this season was above all else, a message of positivity. No matter what the eventual outcome, essentially a game is still just a game. I needed to find a balance between the Coach and Jeff.

The message this season has been, the sun will still rise tomorrow.

On Sunday, perhaps all the effort the team has put in this season has finally paid off for the girls. After the last three efforts, I am finally seeing the team that I am proud to be associated with, more than happy to introduce myself as their coach.

A hard fought game, a game that was charged with energy and emotion, the girls turned in a very mature and almost complete effort. A LOT was on the line.

We bent – we did not break and for once, we got a break or two from the officials.
Storm 2 – Leaside 1

I have never been more proud of this group than I am today. I am even more excited about what lies ahead in the coming weeks.

Bottom line: WE ARE OFF TO THE PROVINCIALS!

I mentioned in the overview letter to the parents – Hang on we're in for a HELL of a ride!

Ride the wave – Ride the Momentum!

Mission2K8 marches on!