What a whirlwind these past couple weeks have been! Coaching dragonboat, outrigger, track, and soccer! Plus getting on the water a few times a week trying to get in as much training of my own that I can without running myself into the ground.

The biggest news by far has been my Senior Boys Soccer team. Let's rewind to this time last year. I meet with the members of my team from fall 2007 and we decide that with the right attitude and some summer training we have a pretty good shot at succeeding in the 2008 season. We have always had lots of talent at Boylen but we could never pull it all together. Egos always got in the way and we would argue ourselves out of every game. From players sitting down on the field refusing to play to players physically coming to blows with each other during the game ... the attitudes always held us back. This was the year we wanted to change that, put the past behind us and become a true team. We decided to find some new jerseys that the players would purchase and get their names on them to boot! Emails flew throughout the summer, sample training programs were sent out while I was in Sacramento and Hawaii. I told them that they better be in better shape than I was when we hit the field the first day back to school (only a few were behind me on the first run).

September came, we hit the field and things were looking promising. Our first exhibition game went right according to plan. Working together, making the unselfish plays, we came out on top 4-1. Season started the next day against the same team. Yeah, so much for the plan. The game ended with two of my players getting red cards (after the final whistle), my team in a physical altercation ... with themselves, and administration having to help me separate them and get people cleared off the field. I felt like a complete utter failure. There is so much potential in this group of guys that I see yet they can't. All the reading and research I had done on the planes and in hotel rooms over the summer was thrown out the window. So what to do ....

I went paddling that night to try and calm myself down. I went back to one of my coaching books to try and find that magic answer. Didn't find what I was looking for but ideas did start flooding my brain. We had a team meeting the next day and I told them exactly how I felt the day before and that I never ever wanted to feel that way again, if this was something that we couldn't get past then the team was going to be done right then and there. There was no way I was going to put up with that bulls*** for another year. I told them that they were better players than then showed me the day before but more importantly they were better people than what their behaviour conveyed. I have to admit, I played the "female on the verge of crying" card. I told them that they had a day to figure out if they were going to turn it around or fold and I left the meeting. After I left, I don't really know what went on. What I do know is that a few of the guys on the team stepped up and lead a discussion that lasted a while. By the end of the day I was approached and asked if I could give them another chance. I reiterated that I never wanted to feel the way I did ever again. I was told that it wouldn't happen. That was September. Now it's June ... and I'm still here with my guys.

Every game that Boylen played in their fall season was an improvement on the one before. There were still some squabbles now and again on the field but were usually worked out before the end of the day. The team participated in some team building activities and found a movie that exemplified perfectly what we were trying to do. We set goals for the team, both short and long term and we came up with a plan to achieve those goals. Each athlete was asked to look inside themselves and figure out what they could do to improve both individually and as a member of the team. For some that meant getting in better shape. For others it was working on personal relationships and how to handle situations that don't go their way in a positive/productive manner. As the season progressed, we remained near the top of our division. We knew who we had to stay infront of to win the birth to the City A Championships. That was goal #1. Not only did we finish above Fleming, but we made it to the playoffs. Unfortunately we were put out in the quarterfinals but the guys kept the big picture in mind ... they achieved their goal and it was time to start working on the next one, to win the TDSSAA Boys A Soccer birth to OFSAA.

Since soccer season was now a year long endeavour for me I started looking into winter training options to keep these guys together, in shape and improving. They had already come a long way in 2 months, I didn't want to have to start over in the spring. After a lot of phone calls and emails, we were entered into an indoor league. Little did I know at the time just how much this would help us. Boylen adjusted to the indoor game well. Our passing game and ball control was forced to improve. Players that were used to being starters had to learn how to be part of the team and a positive influence from the sidelines as only 5 were on the field at a time. We continued with some team building activities throughout the winter and set the goal of doing as well as we could in the indoor league with all players getting field time (tough with 20 men on roster, 12 getting to play in any given game). We finished 3rd in our league, easily qualifying for the playoffs. At this point I took it to the team, do we want to continue to play for fun with everyone getting time or do you want to win? It was a couple of the guys that knew they would get their playing time cut that spoke up almost immediately and said "I want to win". One even went so far as to come to me afterwards and say "Miss, if it means that I don't get to play I don't care, I want the team to do well." I was so proud. They were getting the "we before me". I thanked him and told him that him saying that meant a lot to me.

No game was ever easy for us. We won our quarterfinal but lost in the semis. Both were good tight games. We always had lots of chances but just couldn't capitalize (or hit the net in most cases). It was the night after the semi final that Karma started to pay me back. Back in the outdoor season we had a highly skilled player join us from out of province. Due to the transfer rules he couldn't play until he had been approved by the board. Every day he and other players would ask if I could just lie on the scoresheet and put him in under someone else's name and number. I firmly believe in Fair Play and honesty so said no everytime. Well, turns out that the team that defeated us in the semifinal wasn't so honest. They had played an overage player. This came to my attention, the convenor's attention and the athletic director's attention. Sure enough I get a phone call on the morning of the Championship game saying that the other team had been disqualified and did we want to play in the Championship? I had already been informed by my team that they had all heard the rumour that this might happen and they had told everyone on msn and via txt that night to bring their gear to school tomorrow. So, "Yes sir, we'll play the Championship game this afternoon."

With Rogers TV there, members of rival teams there to cheer and a feeling that luck had finally swung our way ... we went on to win the TDSSAA North Region Indoor Soccer Championships! Goal # 2 - Check

Time to refocus on outdoor soccer. The snow had melted, we put the balls away for a few weeks and focused on fitness. Our speed is our weapon. We entered into a high caliber tournament. Tied our first two games but lost the third to the team that we had beaten for the indoor championship. The guys were a little down on themselves so we took the time to go over the goals we set out back in September. Goal #3 was to win the OFSAA birth. May 25th got marked on the calendars as the day for this goal. We managed to secure a friendly game the week before the playoff game and had a great showing. Still had things to work on but a lot of positive things came out of it.

The morning of the City Semi-Final that would determine who would go to 'A' OFSAA, the guys came into a school that was plastered with "Go Skyhawks Go" signs. Since the success indoors, students at the school had began to rally behind the team. Teachers started to rally behind the team. We were all geared up and ready to go for our game. BUT in true Boylen luck ... the bus company screwed up, our bus had not been properly assigned on their end so it was 45 minutes late picking us up making it really tight timewise to get to the game. I made a few phone calls and sent some emails in hopes of getting a hold of someone in charge down at the field to let them know that we were coming but were held up due to reasons beyond our control. I do my pre-game talk at the front of the school, tell the guys to make sure they come off the bus in full uniform ready to jump on the field and play.

Finally the bus comes. We load up and sit back for the ride down. BUT ... the lady doesn't even know how to get to the 401 from the school. I assist, thinking that anyone can get lost in our little neighbourhood if you're not used to it. But then we get on the highway and she asks where we are going?! This is where I start having to keep myself in check. I've never been to the field before so I don't know where it is. I assume that the bus company who has been given the location communicates this with their drivers. Well, apparenlty not really. She had vague directions. So we ask around the guys if anyone had played in the area before. Not really. So we go to a place that looks like it could be a field. I ask the driver to stick around for a few minutes so we can make sure we're in the right place. Sure enough, not even 2 minutes after I get off the bus, I get word from the guys up front that it's not the place, I turn around to head back to the bus ... NOT THERE!

Now I'm really having to control myself. If I look/act in a panic then my boys will freak. I tell them not to worry, they won't start the game without us and that I've already taken measures to inform the higher ups that we may be late. That seemed to keep the guys satisfied as we walked back out to the main street. I was my phone calling the school to get ahold of the bus company to get our driver back. BUT ... no answer at the school! Tried 3 times before I finally settled for leaving a voicemail for the principal. Luckily those calls/emails earlier paid off, I got a call saying "no worries, the game won't start without you. Are you there yet? " Told him our situation, he gave me another number to call to someone that would give us better directions. Again, luckily we were only about a 10 minute walk from where we needed to be. So we hike it to the field.

Get there and the other team is still changing (10 minutes after the game was supposed to start). Little odd but talk to the coach and they got caught in a TTC stoppage on the subway underground. Ok, that sucks but we're here now, let's play ...wait, where are the refs?! I get back on the phone and thank him for the directions but explain our new situation. Finally after a lot of phone calls the game gets under way an hour later than scheduled. I was quite pleased with how my guys handled all the hiccups that came our way. They stayed cool and focused. I kept telling them that their job is on the field and that's all they have to worry about, I'll look after the rest. Well, they did their job alright! Even after going down a goal 20 minutes into the first half on a bad bounce, they came back and tied it up before the half and then took the lead 10 minutes into the second half. With solid defence we held on to the win. Goal #3 ACHIEVED!!! OFSAA here we come!

That win not only sent us to OFSAA but also advanced us to the City A/AA Championships. Both teams in this final were already going to their respective OFSAAs so this was more for bragging rights and a banner than anything. Goal #4 here we come. We had a bit of info on our opponents. We had a meeting the day before and discussed our need to stay positive and encouraging on and off the field. No problems bus wise getting down there this time, the refs were there and so were our opponents. Mother nature decided to add a crazy downpour in the first half but what's a little rain when you are prepared with umbrellas and garbage bags! The game was a close one as we anticipated. Boylen controlled the play for most of the first half. Harvey came on strong late in the second half but at the end of regulation, it was still 0-0. So off we go into extra time. With about 4 minutes to go before the game would go to penalty kicks ... a great play working it down low results in a beautiful pass out to the middle for a one timer straight into the back of the net. After playing in the rain for over 90 minutes, the speed at which every member of the team tackled the scorer was unbelievable! It was incredible, seeing Goal #4 get checked off the list.

The team did everything I asked them to in that game. Not once did I hear a curse or cuss directed at a teammate, opponent or referee. Not once did I see heads down and shaking after someone missed a play. I saw thumbs up for good passes. I saw head nods acknowledging a good effort. I heard words of encouragement and positivity coming from the field and the bench. Standing on the sidelines during the game with my principal, I realized really just how far we had come as a team. Not only am I proud of their accomplishments, I'm most proud of how they have grown. The are a TEAM!

Now we're here in London at OFSAA. Games start in the morning. I'm chilling in the hallway making sure everyone stays in their rooms. So far I've had a few heads poke out to see if I really am here like I said I would be. Love it how they don't believe me!

If you've taken the time to read all the way to here, then kudos to you! Thank you for reading and letting me share this amazing experience with you.

OFSAA Results and Game Video

GO SKYHAWKS GO!

Countdown to Adventure => 22 days!