26/07/2022
We are so inspired by this story written by one of our U14 Elite Girls, following a dramatic win with her Walkerville U13 team recently... our coaches love witnessing the growth of our recruits, and how they share what they learn with their peers.
“Miracles Exist” by Iris Newman (edited)
Ok, we’re nearly there. Score is 21-24. Just 1 more goal. I gaze up to the clock, my heart is beating out of my chest. 60 seconds. To win the centre clearance, bomb it down, and then it would be a foot race. Everything had to go perfectly, it seemed nearly impossible. Beep. Another ball up. Defensive side of the square and we win it! I grab the ball and run as hard as I can. 30 seconds. I handball off to Mali, but BANG she is tackled. BEEP! Ball up. 60 metres from goal. I stand on the defensive side of the stoppage. Up the ball goes and Salisbury’s ruck taps the ball straight into my arms but I get tackled.
“Girls come on, we can do this!”. But inside I have nearly lost all hope. 11 seconds. The ball goes up, Bella taps it to me, and I run. I sense a player running towards me. I could run past them, and have another bounce; nah, too risky. I have no energy left. I could try and kick the goal, but I was about 30 metres out and there's a player guarding the score line.
Then, I see a player out of the corner of my eye. I take a risk and handball over the top to Aleiyah. The Salisbury player bangs me so hard that I fall to the ground. I should get up. But I can’t. I have nothing left in my tank. So I sit, and watch.
It was all up to Aleiyah. She runs about 7 metres. Luckily, Salisbury has given up. Aleiyah kicks the ball, it goes up, up, but then the siren fills the air with panic. Lying on the ground, I watch the ball sail through the big white posts. She had scored the goal, but was it too late? Was our hard work for nothing?
I turn and see the umpire holding up his hands. 'All clear’. It counts! 27-24. WE had done it. I manage to stand, and my tears flow. That was incredible. I run towards my teammates. We are so happy.
Driving home, I see a sign: ‘Miracles exist’. And I thought , yes, yes they do. The Walkerville U13’s are living proof.