Gold, silver and bronze will be awarded. Some teams will win many games, others may not win any at all. Those three medals are not the prizes of the Nova Scotia Championships though.
Playing for them is the prize.
It is that time of year again.
Volleyball Nova Scotia will host the Nova Scotia Championships over 6 days. April 21-23 and April 28-30.
If you have had the fortune to win a medal at any level of competition you know that feeling of having it draped around your neck.
It’s always heavier than you expect. When it’s a provincial championship there is just a little bit extra weight.
The competition is tougher, the stakes are of course higher and the pressure is significant on everyone involved.
Gold, silver and bronze will be awarded. Some teams will win many games, others may not win any at all. Those three medals are not the prizes of the Nova Scotia Championships though.
Playing for them is the prize.
The journey of getting to this point is the prize.
It’s a journey that players, coaches and parents have all taken together. Not just over the course of this season, but over their athletic careers.
This is what volleyball teaches us and what we have been highlighting in our Life Skills projects. Sports need balance between technical ability and off-court personal development.
Long drives on brisk Saturday mornings to Bridgewater for a Super Series tournament. Tuesday evening practices when an assignment is due in the morning, and still not started. Bumps, sprains and floor burns make knees and elbows look like they need ice packs and wraps. Dedication and persaverance come into play daily.
While winners will be crowned provincial champions, and gold is the goal, stepping onto the court, as a team, club, community and family is the real prize.
Getting to this point together, over coming personal and team adversity and competing for each other is the real prize.
My favourite fictional television football coach has a famous saying that applies to this well.
“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”
What does that mean?
It means that when you approach athletic competition honestly and have an understanding that the hard work and sweat that you’ve put into this sport already paid off, you can’t lose.
Play for gold, but also play for each other, play for the sacrifices that you, your family and all the people that have helped you get here have made.
When you do that, you can’t lose.
The Nova Scotia Championships begin next Friday, April 21st. Use the hashtag #NSChamps when communicating on social media so everyone can share in the experience. What you can expect on our social media channels for the tournament.
Facebook: Live blog updates about general news taking place at the tournament.
Twitter: Match results, photos, video.
Instagram: Photo’s and video of matches and the atmosphere around the tournament.
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