Ugh! Wednesday! I never liked Wednesdays, especially this one. The only thought that enters my brain is soccer. The face of my coach fills my head.  I can picture her mouth moving in slow motion; spit spewing out between her mucky teeth. Nervousness fills my body. “Mom! Please don’t make me go!” I pleaded.  “I won’t make the team anyways, what’s the point?” I doddle to my room and get dressed. I put on my best jersey, shorts, and socks and dash out the door.

Butterflies in my stomach doesn’t come close to what I’m feeling when I arrive at the field.

My friend Melissa shouts, “Hailey! You’re on my team today!” I’m starting to feel comfortable. I got this. Soccer is my second nature.I take a deep breath; my lungs fill with the rubbery scent of turf. My coach places the whistle between her crusty lips. Tweet! The game is on. My feet feel as if they’re stuck in mud. I stand there like a statue. Melissa has the ball and passes it right to my numb toes. My mind tells my feet to move but, my feet had a different opinion. Number ten swoops in and strides away with the ball. I stand there, dazed, embarrassed, and disappointed. I have given up. The shriek of the whistle gives my body shivers; time for a line change. I hustle to the bench, chug my water, and triple knot my shoe laces. Round two will be my time to shine. The chatter of the gossiping parents grab my attention. I wonder if they are they talking about me? I know I can’t let them get into my head.

The coach puts me back onto the pitch. I really need to step up my game if I want to play for this team.I tighten my scrunchie. Its game time! I receive the ball, dribble down the sidelines, giving the parents something to talk about. My feet are itching for a goal. I plant my foot on the turf and with all my might I swing my leg back to plunk the ball into the top corner of the net. I scored! The grin on my face was enormous. I am drowning in confidence. I know I’ve made this team.

The roar of the evaluators voice echoes through my ears. “Bring it in girls.” A stampede of girls hustle into the eighteen yard box. The evaluator explains to us, “ You will receive a phone call in the next week if you made the team.”

Confidence is seeping through my pores. I know I’ve made this team. I spot my Mom perched in the bleachers; she tells me I  did a good job, and we return home. For what felt like a century I waited for that phone call to come through.

The following Wednesday I receive a call.

“ Hello, is this Hailey Wallace?”

I reply nervously, “Yes”

“ Hi, this is Coach Oliver. Unfortunately you didn’t make the team. Better luck next season.”

My eyes start to become glossy, a tear trickles down my cheek. I didn’t make the team. I think deep down my Mom knew I didn’t make the team because, when I told her she was not shocked. Her reaction was comforting and she suggested I try out for a different club.

Port Moody Soccer Club. I already don’t like it here. Their turf doesn’t smell the same as ours it has less of a rubbery smell. Their parents aren’t as loud, and their soccer balls are covered in shoe scuffs. A team of  statuesque girls invite me to pass with them. They’re not what I imagined. They’re actually really nice and welcoming. Port Moody Soccer Club, I’m starting to like the sound of it. The tryout begins, but this time I’m not nervous. I play calm and composed; showing off my finest tricks.  The evaluators invite us to centre; where they explain that they will call us if we make the team.

I hurry home feeling anxious for a phone call. My foot steps into the door and the phone rings. My eyes open wide. Is this for me?I grab the phone and answer, “Hello?”

“Hi is this Hailey?” said a soft voice.

“Yes.”  I replied anxiously.

“Hi this is Amy. I am pleased to inform you that you’ve made the team!”

My heart is fluttering with excitement!  I can’t believe I’ve made this team.I bolt to find my Mom and explain the great news to her. My Mom is as joyous as I am. My schedule comes in through email and I have my first practice Tuesday. I can hardly wait to make new friends and play the game I love.

After spending some time playing for Port Moody Soccer they have offered me a paid coaching position. I have finally found my soccer home. From this experience,  I have learned how to always persevere when I feel most discouraged, and that I can’t let what others think of me bring me down.  Now that I have had the opportunity to coach my own team this past season, I always remember how I felt when I was rejected.  I see how some coaches prejudge players before giving them a fair chance, and I have made it a big part of my coaching style to make every child know they are important. In the end, I have learnt many lessons in life, literally on the soccer field.  Always give someone a fair chance, never give up, keep your head held high even when you are down, and most importantly always believe in yourself.

2 things I did well 

1. I had a meaningful ending
2. I did a combination of who I am and a lesson I learned

2 things to improve 

1. Choose better words to describe my writing
2. Show my writing and tell less