Match Report – Under 16 Girls – Round 11, 2018

U16 Girls – Bayswater vs Mitcham.

This week we were joined by Under 14s Chya and Torey. We came into this game expecting that we might be a chance, so this loss probably hurt more than most. Most of the girls were pretty gutted, as was I. It hurts to see you girls improving but not getting that elusive win, especially as we fought hard to stay in this game for three quarters. Final scores saw Bayswater 4.2-26 defeated by Mitcham 6.11-47.

Thank you to our runner Tori, water boys Jake and Aidyn, goal umpire Shane, umpire escort Allan, boundary umpire Lochlon, trainer Craig and team manager Mandy.

Something a bit different for my match report this week, a bit of a narrative. Girls, see if you can pick out which statements apply to you, and which to your teammates.

Who Are We?

The Opening Bounce
Who Are We?
We are the girl who plays because her sister plays, because her mates play, because she was on the oval one time and joined in a training session. We are the girl who came to the club by herself. We are the girl who is a distraction. We are the girl who has played for years and the girl who has never played. We are the girl who can’t kick, can’t mark. We are the girl with talent. We are the eager and the volatile, the introvert and the extrovert, the coachable and the uncoachable. We are nails and hair and jewellery and music. We are none of that.

The Second Quarter
Who Are We?
We are the girl who has taken her first big mark. We are the goal-kicker with silky skills. We are the girl who is as quiet as a mouse, but strong as a pit-bull. We are the girl who is lightly framed but fearless and full of run. We are the gentle giant, learning to use her body to impact the contest. We are the girl who chases. We are the girl who loves dodging and loves tackling. We are the injured girl in tears, but desperate to get back on. We are the girl so close to breaking a game open. We are the girl who is ready to believe.

The Premiership Quarter
Who Are We?
We are the girl who is playing up an age level, but not just making up the numbers. We are the girl who shepherds. We are the girl who stops a goal, who wins a clearance, who sets up a goal, who kicks a goal. We are the girl who trains hard and plays hard. We are the girl who plays with injury. We are the girl who continually encourages her team. We are the girl who makes second and third efforts and more. We are the girl who can’t be stopped. We are the girl who is finding her voice. We are more than the story the scoreboard tells. We are fire and focus and fun.

The Final Siren
Who Are We?
We are the young woman with her teammates in a tight circle, arms around shoulders. We are the young woman, leading from the front bursting through a pack, bouncing and kicking the ball long. We are the young woman, giving instructions on the field, marking and playing on. We are the young woman, playing hurt but competing hard. We are the young woman who never gives up. We are the young woman who listens. We are the young woman who has found her voice. We are the young woman who belongs. We are the young woman who has played her last game. We are the young woman who can’t wait to play again next year.

Who Are We?

We are Bayswater.

Andrew Robertson
U16 Girl’s Coach