I was nine years old I remember sitting in front of the television, bored, simply flicking through the channels, when I saw something brand new to me. I saw what seemed to me, the toughest guys in the world. I saw guys chasing around this oval ball, running, passing, kicking, and tackling. I thought this game was awesome, not even knowing what it was.
I was actually watching my first rugby game. I started looking everywhere to find out just a little more about it. I started to read books or anything I could on the game, literally watching hours of rugby online. Looking for every bit of the game I could. I remember asking my Mom if she would buy me a ball and when she reluctantly gave in, I got it in the mail. I honestly cherished it. I was so dead set on learning how to play, and it didn't take long till I had my ball with me all the time, it became an extension of my hand.
Of course I wanted to play but I had to be in high school, and at the time I was just a seventh grader. So I realized from that moment on, that if I wanted to play, I would have to be in excellent shape to play with kids much older than me. So when summer rolled in I would wake up about six or seven in the morning, bright and early and go find two bricks. I would then go run for as far and long as I could because I wanted to be the best I could.
When I became a freshman in high school I was so ready to play. When training came in the winter for the early season training, I showed up with athletes at the age of 17-18 and keep in mind I was only 15 at the time. It was my turn to show the years of backyard practice and determination that brought me to this point and I was definitely nervous. But I got in the front of the team and I showed them all my skill and my work ethic and at the end of the day, they understood that to me, this was more than just a game And when spring came, we came out like a storm, rolling over teams with me being called up as team captain. Not only that I was one of the youngest players to ever play for their team and was awarded man of the match my first game. I played five games for my team until I broke my leg and for a time I was little depressed. Can you imagine all the time and effort you've put in, and having it kind of taken away from you? But being captain I still helped my team by coaching them, getting them ready for the next team. Eventually my team went to state qualifying, but in the end we lost the state cup round, and it was a definitely hard experience. But I had so much fun knowing that I had helped them to that moment. At the end of the season my team gave me a little present for all my hard work and dedication. It was ball signed by my coaches and my teammates to acknowledge the struggle I had to face to get to where I am today. Now looking back, this all happened because of a single moment when I was nine years old. To me, being part of the Bulldogs RFC is something that will always stay with me. This is more than just a team, more than just a game, this is about being a bulldog.
I was actually watching my first rugby game. I started looking everywhere to find out just a little more about it. I started to read books or anything I could on the game, literally watching hours of rugby online. Looking for every bit of the game I could. I remember asking my Mom if she would buy me a ball and when she reluctantly gave in, I got it in the mail. I honestly cherished it. I was so dead set on learning how to play, and it didn't take long till I had my ball with me all the time, it became an extension of my hand.
Of course I wanted to play but I had to be in high school, and at the time I was just a seventh grader. So I realized from that moment on, that if I wanted to play, I would have to be in excellent shape to play with kids much older than me. So when summer rolled in I would wake up about six or seven in the morning, bright and early and go find two bricks. I would then go run for as far and long as I could because I wanted to be the best I could.
When I became a freshman in high school I was so ready to play. When training came in the winter for the early season training, I showed up with athletes at the age of 17-18 and keep in mind I was only 15 at the time. It was my turn to show the years of backyard practice and determination that brought me to this point and I was definitely nervous. But I got in the front of the team and I showed them all my skill and my work ethic and at the end of the day, they understood that to me, this was more than just a game And when spring came, we came out like a storm, rolling over teams with me being called up as team captain. Not only that I was one of the youngest players to ever play for their team and was awarded man of the match my first game. I played five games for my team until I broke my leg and for a time I was little depressed. Can you imagine all the time and effort you've put in, and having it kind of taken away from you? But being captain I still helped my team by coaching them, getting them ready for the next team. Eventually my team went to state qualifying, but in the end we lost the state cup round, and it was a definitely hard experience. But I had so much fun knowing that I had helped them to that moment. At the end of the season my team gave me a little present for all my hard work and dedication. It was ball signed by my coaches and my teammates to acknowledge the struggle I had to face to get to where I am today. Now looking back, this all happened because of a single moment when I was nine years old. To me, being part of the Bulldogs RFC is something that will always stay with me. This is more than just a team, more than just a game, this is about being a bulldog.