Lets not forget to post the reason we went to Hawaii, the soccer tournament. We drove into the soccer complex at Waipio, Wow what a place they had 27 fields including the stadium, the drive was lined with flags announcing the states that had teams participating.
For opening ceremonies the night before the tournament all of the teams marched into the stadium and were announced as they entered, it was very impressive, and yes you all know it brought a tear to my eye. One of the most impressive things to me was when the VIP team came into the stadium ALL of the other teams stood and gave them a standing ovation that brought a lump to the throat as well as a tear to the eye. AYSO has the VIP program for special needs athletes and it was great they were included in this ceremony.
Before each game the team had to have their equipment checked and sign in together. Be sure to notice the beautiful landscape we were enjoying during the games.
There was no doubt that everyone was plenty warm already but you still need to stretch before you play.
The girls did not win the tournament but they certainly had nothing to hang their head fro they played very well and got put out by two Hawaii teams who were very good, and not distracted by playing in Hawaii of course. The girls brought all they could to the games and I was so proud of them. What they came away from this tournament with I don't think can be measured with a trophy. For one thing they were one point out of being the top team(out of 181) for sportsmanship that alone shows the character of the girls, not to say they don't play shoulder to shoulder if they need to. The other thing the girls got is an experience that will never be repeated to go to Hawaii with 17 of your teammates, it made the entire year of fundraising worth it. Some of the girls have said they will go back and they may, on a trip after collage, or maybe for collage, or a honeymoon, but they will never forget the trip they took when they were 15 or 16 with their team to play in the National tournament. All the remember whens that will come...remember when we learned to surf, remember when Staci and Tracy took a picture with the surfer guys, remember when the Lawton boys came to watch our game, remember when the Hawaii and California girls could not believe we play soccer in the snow, it will go on and on for a very long time and I am so glad we were able to make this happen.
When it was all over the girls still were able to put a smile on their faces and say hang loose, not to say there were not a couple of tears after that last game, it would have been great to win and go on of course, but as Staci said " hey guys we played the best we could and we lost in Hawaii!" I hope all the girls will always be able to say I gave it my best, look at the whole picture, and enjoy the experience of what they are doing in life, then they will continue to be winners without looking at the score!!! 
I would like to say "Ma halo Hawaii" I t was a great time!
For opening ceremonies the night before the tournament all of the teams marched into the stadium and were announced as they entered, it was very impressive, and yes you all know it brought a tear to my eye. One of the most impressive things to me was when the VIP team came into the stadium ALL of the other teams stood and gave them a standing ovation that brought a lump to the throat as well as a tear to the eye. AYSO has the VIP program for special needs athletes and it was great they were included in this ceremony.
Before each game the team had to have their equipment checked and sign in together. Be sure to notice the beautiful landscape we were enjoying during the games.
There was no doubt that everyone was plenty warm already but you still need to stretch before you play.
The girls did not win the tournament but they certainly had nothing to hang their head fro they played very well and got put out by two Hawaii teams who were very good, and not distracted by playing in Hawaii of course. The girls brought all they could to the games and I was so proud of them. What they came away from this tournament with I don't think can be measured with a trophy. For one thing they were one point out of being the top team(out of 181) for sportsmanship that alone shows the character of the girls, not to say they don't play shoulder to shoulder if they need to. The other thing the girls got is an experience that will never be repeated to go to Hawaii with 17 of your teammates, it made the entire year of fundraising worth it. Some of the girls have said they will go back and they may, on a trip after collage, or maybe for collage, or a honeymoon, but they will never forget the trip they took when they were 15 or 16 with their team to play in the National tournament. All the remember whens that will come...remember when we learned to surf, remember when Staci and Tracy took a picture with the surfer guys, remember when the Lawton boys came to watch our game, remember when the Hawaii and California girls could not believe we play soccer in the snow, it will go on and on for a very long time and I am so glad we were able to make this happen.
When it was all over the girls still were able to put a smile on their faces and say hang loose, not to say there were not a couple of tears after that last game, it would have been great to win and go on of course, but as Staci said " hey guys we played the best we could and we lost in Hawaii!" I hope all the girls will always be able to say I gave it my best, look at the whole picture, and enjoy the experience of what they are doing in life, then they will continue to be winners without looking at the score!!! I would like to say "Ma halo Hawaii" I t was a great time!
No comments:
Post a Comment