The team gives specific examples of positive actions that occur in the match. Even in a tough loss something positive occurred. We then quickly talk about what we saw as a coaching group. Then move on. I have found that addressing it the next day when emotion is removed is way better. That way as coaches we don't say things we will regret later.
But when the season ends I feel I need to address the team a bit longer and often way more emotionally. This year our season ended after a five set loss to the 4th place UBCO Heat. In that match we set a new team blocking record with 27 stuff blocks. We also pushed the Heat with both of our starting left sides injured. It was a who.e team effort but still came up short.
In the team room after it was a very dejected group. We sat around for awhile waiting for the trainer to finish help grab ice and wrap the different players then we began our normal routine of talking about the positives in the match. Brooke Hucaluk and Brianna Walsh had their first starts and battled hard. Meaghan and Lexi were a force at the net. We served incredibly tough allowing our block defence game to step to the forefront.
Then we went around the room asking different people for events this year that stood out for Training in Carberry,and the bus trip to Thunderbay. The team had different examples of funny things that happened outside of the gym. They were very conscious of my presence or I am sure they would have had a few more zingers.
Then came my turn. I began with
Being a CIS athlete is tough we put ourself out there every weekend for people to watch and judge. Because of the hours of training and the wts we do we sometimes make it look easy. So this opens us up to criticism and rewards. But society tends to want to find fault in what we do. When we return to Brandon we will be subject to questioning about our season. Yes not making the playoffs is disappointing but I wouldn't classify the season as disappointing. It is easy to sit in the crowd or on twitter and criticize and these athletes pour their heart and soul into training. We have definitely improved our fitness and that takes real commitment. There are days that everyone would consider skipping workouts but our culture is one that it doesn't happen. The commitment to learning game plan and the adjustments also showed are we set that blocking record in our last match with 3 players on the floor who weren't there at the start.
I have learned there is a bond in teammates that goes deep with those whom we choose to let in to share our life. A university team is a different culture. First years and fourth years together. One is thinking about career and future. The other is still trying to figure out how to find resources in the library. Yet because they play on the same team, work hard through some tough time they become friends. Even though they might not hangout a lot during the school year they are connected.
To me that is the success of sports. Some of my closest and trusted friends were teammates of mine or we coached teams together. Working at getting better together.
But for us coaches the growth we see in our team is the most important.
The culture we are trying to create daily is so important. The caring for each other and the new friends we make. When we see teammates recognize important moments and find away to support is incredible. When the van load of them showed up to watch Meaghan Dance and realized the importance in that it almost made me cry. Then when Bri put the outfit on to join her I have been accused of shedding a quick tear.
I look at Tori, she literally didn't say a word until Christmas her first year. Now she is an important voice in the room. Her confidence has grown so far I can tease her about different things. I would never have done that her for two years.
When I look out at our team I see success everywhere. Brooke and her feet, the commitment it took to make that change is impressive. Mary and her hands same thing. The understanding of the game Kenny has now. The speed and power of Lexi. We could go through each individual to see success.
We won't know how successful this team really was for 10 years when we come back and see what we have learned and discuss the fun we had together. Wins and losses are important but the character is more important,
