Turf Fields
April 30, 2019 Uncategorized 5 comments krobichaud19
In seventh and eighth grade I had gone to a summer camp for field hockey which was held at Thomas college. Right at the end of July into the first week of August all of our hockey team girls would pack up our stuff head over to Waterville to spend the next week sleeping in college dorm rooms that were not air conditioned. We would meet out on the 110-degree turf fields to learn skills and every once in a while play a fun little game that most of the time I would lose. Needless to say, it was hot to the point of almost passing out. I remember the first time I had ever gone, we had just done a warm up and then played a game of octopus and by the end of it, I was about ready to throw up. As the week progressed though, it was easier to get used to the heat, mostly by chugging down tons of water and many bathroom breaks.
We got to work with many collegiate level athletes and even some from around the world, like Germany and Australia, and at the end of the night we would play mini-games against all the other girls from Maine that participated in the summer camp. When we first arrived we were placed into groups with some other schools around our area, so our team got to play with the Winthrop girls. Each mini team was given a head coach that would teach you skills and drills all day that would later be used to help you during the mini-games. All of this new learning that came in from this new experience was something I really benefited from, I absolutely loved working with all these other girls and made great friendships with others during this time. It was really inspiring to me to see all kinds of other people come from all over Maine come to this summer camp to learn more about something they really loved. I took in everything I learned during this morbidly hot week and put that passion into my future in field hockey.
I have had some ups and downs during my high school field hockey career, but every minute that I have spent out on that field I have put 110% of effort into it as coach Betsy would say. I have never lost sight of the fire that I have within that pushes me to not only put in the most effort with field hockey, but to also inspire others and uplift them when their own fire may be dimming. You may often lose sight of the overall goal, but by having the passion to drive you forward nothing can bring you down and that’s exactly what I have learned from field hockey. Though you may not be at the exact point you want to be at, as long as our having fun by loving what you do, anything you achieve will be worth it.
Every year there is an all-stars game held at the same Waterville turf field where all teams get to once again play together. We see the young girls who we once used to play alongside on those hot summer days years ago, and how much they have grown just as all of us have as players. And for the last time, I will be playing alongside my own teammates in my senior year of field hockey. All that I have learned in the 14 years that I have played field hockey will all go into this last game, and you better believe I will be having fun because it’s something I have loved so much from such a young age.
Photo by photo516 on Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
5 Comments
OMG!! I remember this, that heat, the feeling of passing out but, also having the thrill of playing the game with your friends, learning the skills all day and then applying them into the games at night and then going back to the dorms and and basically falling asleep right as you lay down. This camp gave me so many memories that I will never forget.
I absolutely love this story. Although I never experienced this hot summer field hockey experience because I started the year after but I am sure glad that I did and found my best friend. We sure have shared many memories on and have the field. Many hot summer field hockey memories, I’ll never forget the time at Oxford playing St. Doms and I had to play for the other team first half and then us the second half. When you came out for a sub and I tired to give you a wet towel and you almost threw up on me. I’m definitly going to miss playing field hockey with and I am so glad we got one last chance to play together.
This is an amazing example for this. It makes me sad to know this was your last year because I could always see how much you loved the game. However, I know you will continue to love field hockey and continue to find new interests that you can put 110% of effort into.
I remember going to the field hockey camp and it being the hottest week during the summer. Plus the turf made it ever hotter! Learning for college players from different countries was real cool to see how they trained. I was lucky to be put on your team for the goalie spot and meeting the other people on the team. It is incredible that you never give up during field hockey and stayed with it during high school. Always giving 110% out on the field and saying All or Nothing. Knowing that field hockey is over for high school does not mean that you have to playing the sport.
It is definitely noticeable that you gave it your all every time on the field. Although, I didn’t play in middle school, every year of high school you improved. It is also a good thing that you love it because then you are more apt to put all of your time and effort into it. This piece of writing was well-written and I enjoyed reading how your experience was.