Montreal, Quebec

While most of my team left for back home after nationals my family and another girl on my teams family stayed behind for a few extra days. We did the same thing the year prior in San Diego with the same family, after the U13 Provincial Teams Program came to end. Our families always have a lot of fun together so we decided to do the same thing and stay behind in Quebec. We stayed at the Chateau Frontenac which was this amazingly beautiful hotel. All the decorations and furnishings inside are really old which was really neat to see. My brother convinced me that the room we were staying in was haunted, which I believed because it sure looked like it was. Even the people working in the hotel dressed up in old clothing which I thought really added to the whole mood and setting of the hotel.


Chateau Frotenac

Walking through the streets of the old town Montreal was incredible. All the buildings were so old, it felt like we were walking in the past. It was great that our families got to experience this new culture, which I wouldn't mind doing again. I'm thankful that soccer has allowed me to travel to new places such as Quebec and Germany because without it I don't think I would be able to.

Nationals

The following year was a national year where all U14 and U16 provincial teams from all over Canada compete. It took place in Montreal, Quebec during the summer of 2007. Our first game was against Newfoundland whom we beat to get into the top pool where we could compete for first place. We won our next two matches against Alberta and Nova Scotia the following days, which was important because we needed to win every game if we wanted to have a shot for first place.

During this tournament, we were fortunate to have a day off in between games to go sightseeing and do some fun activities. Sightseeing was amazing because some of the buildings in Montreal are so old it was like stepping foot into the past. Our team went on this tour bus that took us through the streets and through the water! The tour bus actually doubled as a boat, which was really cool. I’ve never been on anything like it before. Our team also got to go laser tagging which was a lot of fun. It was a nice break from the pressure of the tournament. Finally, to conclude our day off we went and saw the movie Hairspray. This was back a few years, so this movie was still in theaters at the time. But let me tell you, the chairs in the theater were probably the most comfortable chairs let alone movie theater chairs I’ve ever sat in! I haven’t forgotten about those chairs till this day.

The next day we played a tough match against Quebec. We needed to continue to get as many goals as we could because every goal counted. We only got one goal but we did win the game, which was more important. Finally, our last and final game was against Ontario who was ranked number one. I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous for a game as I was for that one. All our team needed was a tie or a win to win the tournament because we went into that game with more goals than them. That game felt like it went on and on and on. Corner kick after corner kick on their part made the game that more intense. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, which was all we needed to win. We came first place and were given the title of National Champions.

Campbell River

That same year we traveled to Germany we took part in a training camp in Campbell River. Our coach was from there, which made it very convenient for him. Our first exhibition game was against a boy’s team. They were very tough and physical but it was actually a fun experience even though we lost pretty badly. It would have been pretty embarrassing for the boys if they had lost to a bunch of girls!

Our team was also fortunate enough to have spent the day with a soccer team of young girls from around the area. We spent the whole day together from having breakfast with them, going on walks and finishing the day with them watching a game of ours. We each were partnered with a young girl so we could get to know them better. I really enjoy working with young kids so this experience was awesome. I would love to do something like this again sometime soon.

On a side note, while we were staying in the hotel about ¾ of our team, our trainer and our manager got stuck in an elevator! Now I hate elevators to begin with but getting stuck with about 14 other people was absolutely horrible!! We were passing around one of the girl’s ice pack because it was betting pretty hot in there. After what felt like forever, which really was probably about 5-8 minutes, we were free. Getting stuck in an elevator is exactly why I hate those things!! But I always remember that moment every time I step foot into one.

Smoke, Salami and Soccer

U14 was a great year filled with lots of traveling and much excitement. Our team was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to Germany for 10 days! This was my first time traveling outside of North America and it was a great experience. This trip was meant for our team to experience a new culture, train in new environments and for our team to bond together before we headed off to Montreal, Quebec for Nationals.

2 flights, 1 long bus ride and about 11 hours later our team finally arrived at our destination spot in Dusseldorf, Germany! The first facility we stayed at was huge! It consisted of a massive swimming pool, a soccer pitch and a large cafeteria. Our team even had the whole floor to ourselves in the building we stayed at in the facility. I thought that was pretty sweet until I actually saw our building. About what felt like a million stairs later we finally arrived at the front door of our building. But it doesn’t stop there… about another couple hundred steps later we make it to out rooms. What can I say about those rooms… well let’s just say large pillows, dangerous balconies and bugs, bugs and more bugs! My friend and roommate Emily actually made me go on a bug hunt one night to de-bug our room. The railings on the balcony were so low that our coach banned us from even stepping foot onto them. Even the locks to our rooms were suspect. I swear even the slightest breeze could open those things. One of the most memorable moments on the whole trip was our first meal overseas- the infamous quiche. At least for me it was eatable, but for most of the people on my team it was like trying to eat nails. However watching my teammates try to eat it made it that much more unappetizing for me. Other than the rooms and the quiche, everything was great. Every meal consisted of buns, chocolate milk and some kind of meat like salami which I didn't mind at all. Surprisingly I didn't get tired of the food day after day. I think it was because I was hungry all the time so any food they served I was happy with. However, the one downside to the trip was the constant smell of smoke. Even the airports had a strong smokey smell. It gave me a greater appreciation of the fresh air we have here at home. Speaking of home, after a few days into the trip I was starting to miss my family. However, I was fortunate enough to have seen my dad while I was there. He came down with a few other dads on the team and made a trip out of it. My dad rarely misses a game of mine let alone a practice! He would never have passed this opportunity to come down to Germany to watch my team and I play.

Getting Serious

When I was 13 the opportunity to try out for the U13 (under 13 yrs old) Provincial team came around. I really didn’t want to, but my dad told me to try it out and to see what happens. I agreed and ended up making the team in the end. Unlike all the other girls on the team, upon hearing the news I was very upset. It was out of my comfort zone as no one else from Richmond was on the team, I knew few people on the team and it was just something I was not prepared to do. After a long talk with my dad he convinced me that it was a great opportunity and just to try it and see what happens-- sound familiar? I was really happy I listened to him in the end because the program was a great experience. It ran from April to June and consisted of training camps in Victoria and Kelowna, tournaments in Portland, Edmonton and San Diego. I made a lot of new friends from all around the lower mainland. I continued to play with many of these girls for the next 4 years throughout the program until U16.

From the Beginning

“I don’t want to play!” my 6-year-old self tells my father after he insists that I take up the sport. I was a stubborn little girl as I finally agreed to it only if my dad coached me and that my parents got a friend to play with me. After my demands were met I started playing on a team in the Richmond Girls Soccer Association (RGSA). I instantly fell in love with the rush of scoring a goal and chasing the ball around just as every single player on the field would do. The game at this point was pretty much just kick and run and to follow the ball wherever it went. As long as you didn’t pick up the ball with your hands (unless you were the goalie) or you scored on your own net, life was good. Many of the friends I started playing with at this age, I continued to until I was 15 with the RGSA.

Getting Started

Welcome to my first blog ever! It will be about my experiences I’ve had with soccer and how’s its taken me to different places around the world, gotten me new friends and given me life stories I will never forget! Stories that range from breaking my leg, to getting stuck in an elevator with 16 other team members to winning U14 Nationals in Montreal, Quebec!