SAISA Football

For the past 5 weeks I have been participating in the training sessions for the SAISA football team! I have never really played soccer since Grade 7, and even then it was not very seriously, so this is an entirely new experience for me. I've been surprised how different football is from basketball - it's alot slower and less close knit, but I think players have the opportunity to contribute more to the team without necessarily having an incredible skill level. However there are som similarities. Once again, being tall, my job is to stand at the back on defense and intimidate/run over people who are trying to score. I actually really enjoy this as it is more about body co-ordination and dealing with another person rather than dealing with the ball. I am not very good at dribbling.




The problem with playing defense is that many of the games we have played against other schools in Colombo have been very offense oriented for our team. That is, we have annihilated most other teams, and on defense this means I don't get much of a work out! However, I think that come SAISA this will change. We have also played a couple of boys teams who definitely gave the defense a lot to do (they beat us most of the time).



I have also discovered other ways that, as central defender or sweeper, I can contribute to the team. I tend to be able to see a lot more of what is going on than the other players, so I can yell out instructions. Apparently this is helpful - although it is a fine line to draw between helpful and bossy, so I will have to be careful. However, it is nice to feel useful, particularly in games where I'm not doing much.


I really enjoy the team atmosphere in football, and I'm having lots of fun getting to know some of the girls in younger grades that I would not otherwise have talked to. I think we have a really strong team.





My aims for the season are:

1. To make it onto the final team by showing consistent commitment and putting in 100% effort at trainings.
2. To work on my ball co-ordination so that I do not panic under pressure.
3. To learn how to position myself effectively on the field so that, with the other defenders, we create an effective wall against the attack.
4. To have the best team spirit ever!!