Saturday, May 27, 2006;

I'm an 'A' division player.
I'm a team player.
I play with my friends and some of my enemies
but I respect everyone when it comes to my sport.

I know I'm not going to get a multi-million dollar contract to play professionally.
I know I may not even get my name in the paper.

I play for the love of the game.
For the pride and honour
For the blood, sweat and tears it takes to make the team, earn the spot, to win the game.
I play because I can.
I play because I know my life would be empty without the sport I play.

I would have a lack of everything my sport gives me;
Integrity, Courage, Talent, Fearlessness, Pride, Strength, Stamina, Will,
and the heart of a champion.
If I didn't playI would lose a part of myself. How true

I'm an athlete.
I'm a guy.
I'm a champion.
Not because my team always wins, but when we don't,
We learn from our mistakes.
We try to fix them,
but most of all,
because we have fun. Always rooted in fun. :) I love every moment out there.

I've built lifelong friendships and memories because of my being as an athlete. Definitely
I leave everything on the pitch and continue to push myself.
I'm never happy with a second place,
but I've learnt to accept it.
'Whats said and done on the pitch stays there - always'
I've learnt to get over and through my anger to be an athlete
and a player I've always dreamt of being.

I don't play for my parents, for my family, for my friends.
I don't play for my coach or my teachers or my school.
I play it for MYSELF
but when I'm playing,
I represent them. And they mean a lot

It's not just about winning or losing,
but I hate to lose.
I won't settle for a tie
and I'm not satisfied with 100%.
To play,
you've to sacrifice everything,
your body,
your work,
your time,
your sweat,
blood and tears and everything...
For your team.
Nothing great comes without sacrifices, its the team that makes it worthwhile
I'm a player, and athlete, and a champion,
not because I know what it's like to win
but because I know what it's like to lose.
I know what's like to feel the anger and pain
that comes along with the "second" best.

I've been that guy with tears in his eyes,
walking out to receive the second play trophy
and clapping as the other team, my opponents,
receive the first place trophy.

I know what's like to lose,
to win,
to want to quit,
to want to cry,
to not want to get up. The process is never easy
I really appreciate this, even if its just a silent presence.
I know what it's like to hear the cheers and yells for you.
I know what it's like to feel the pressure of everyone on your shoulders,
and I know what it's like to choke under the pressure. First hand

I know what it means to be an athlete,
a true player,
and that's why I play.

I'm an athlete,
a champion,
a true player.

11:23 PM