The last hurrah
I suppose I got what I wanted, finally being able to be part of a team that emerged champions. But is the victory all that sweet? To me, it is bittersweet.
I suppose yes, not performing your best on the day it all matters is always disappointing. But nevertheless, I am content with the fact that I gave it my best shot, so definitely my personal loss cannot and will not overshadow the victory that we as a team acheived.
Rather, as much as this is a mission that has been successfully completed, it is nonetheless a mission that is completed. It is THE END of my time in RI Tennis, and as much as I always say how I look forward to 'retirement' and the end of regular CCA trainings, it is definitely a sad farewell that I bid. Your CCA gives you that sense of belonging. A place where you know your presence and effort counts, a place where you are part of a entity small enough to feel initimate and close to, but nonetheless an entity that you know is and will always be bigger than you. And I really wonder how the rest of the year will be, without this fixture in my routine, which is really really more than just that.
It seems so fast, these 4 years that I have spent in RI Tennis. Sure it was tough, and at times I just couldn't wait for it to be all over. But in the end, somehow, it just resolved itself. As I mentioned before, it all becomes worthwhile when you become part of that entity that is more than just a CCA, a team with a common goal.
I can remember extremely clearly, my first training. That day, it rained at Farrer Park, and so Coach called and told us to stay in school. When he arrived, he sat the whole CCA down at the Stadium Steps, not the stadium steps itself, but rather the steps just in front of the long jump pit. It was second closest to the railing. I still remember. And after some bantering, like saying to a Sec 4, "David, your brother ah?", when he found out that the Sec 4 and I shared the same name, he said this "...(to the Sec Ones) Welcome to 4 years of hell!" And then we proceeded to do interval training round the track.
There is really so much to say Goodbye to, a ton of memories, feelings etc. To the Sec 1 to Sec 3s, I guess being in a CCA like Tennis is challenging, where the physical aspect is a bitter pill to swallow, the competition a yearly marathon, and the way the team functions a bizarre puzzle. But I guess the challenge is where the fun is. Challenge makes us all become a team with a common goal.
And that is just beautiful.
And I guess I would like to thank Walter for being a whacky and passionate Captain, who figured out how to manage a team of very diverse individuals, and lead the team through the minefield that lay between individuality and unity. Shanan for being a vice-Captain who in his own way, showed what effort and determination meant. Syl, Chee Jun, Yan Cheng Jie and Nick for inspiring us with their "into the brew" tennis which brought the CCA "intense glory". Christopher for showing us what to breathe tennis meant. Lionel and Ryan for giving Shanan and I regular heart attacks. And Joseph for always showing concern in his quiet way, together with Chief Umpire Ganesh and the rest of team, who supported us and provided regular amusement with their odd idiosyncracies.
And definitely thanks goes to Ms. Kuang and Mr. Chua for working so hard behind the scenes, and for having that knack at sensing the intangibles. Hmm? Last but not least, Coach for working us like mad, and steering us, both as a team and as different individuals, through to victory.
Oh, and definitely all the prefects and supporters who came down too, and cheered like MAD.
Thank you.
And for those who are feeling nauseous by now and think this is some kind of normal Sec 4 Bullshit, you have been devoured by cynicism and so I guess another blog would be more for you.
I suppose yes, not performing your best on the day it all matters is always disappointing. But nevertheless, I am content with the fact that I gave it my best shot, so definitely my personal loss cannot and will not overshadow the victory that we as a team acheived.
Rather, as much as this is a mission that has been successfully completed, it is nonetheless a mission that is completed. It is THE END of my time in RI Tennis, and as much as I always say how I look forward to 'retirement' and the end of regular CCA trainings, it is definitely a sad farewell that I bid. Your CCA gives you that sense of belonging. A place where you know your presence and effort counts, a place where you are part of a entity small enough to feel initimate and close to, but nonetheless an entity that you know is and will always be bigger than you. And I really wonder how the rest of the year will be, without this fixture in my routine, which is really really more than just that.
It seems so fast, these 4 years that I have spent in RI Tennis. Sure it was tough, and at times I just couldn't wait for it to be all over. But in the end, somehow, it just resolved itself. As I mentioned before, it all becomes worthwhile when you become part of that entity that is more than just a CCA, a team with a common goal.
I can remember extremely clearly, my first training. That day, it rained at Farrer Park, and so Coach called and told us to stay in school. When he arrived, he sat the whole CCA down at the Stadium Steps, not the stadium steps itself, but rather the steps just in front of the long jump pit. It was second closest to the railing. I still remember. And after some bantering, like saying to a Sec 4, "David, your brother ah?", when he found out that the Sec 4 and I shared the same name, he said this "...(to the Sec Ones) Welcome to 4 years of hell!" And then we proceeded to do interval training round the track.
There is really so much to say Goodbye to, a ton of memories, feelings etc. To the Sec 1 to Sec 3s, I guess being in a CCA like Tennis is challenging, where the physical aspect is a bitter pill to swallow, the competition a yearly marathon, and the way the team functions a bizarre puzzle. But I guess the challenge is where the fun is. Challenge makes us all become a team with a common goal.
And that is just beautiful.
And I guess I would like to thank Walter for being a whacky and passionate Captain, who figured out how to manage a team of very diverse individuals, and lead the team through the minefield that lay between individuality and unity. Shanan for being a vice-Captain who in his own way, showed what effort and determination meant. Syl, Chee Jun, Yan Cheng Jie and Nick for inspiring us with their "into the brew" tennis which brought the CCA "intense glory". Christopher for showing us what to breathe tennis meant. Lionel and Ryan for giving Shanan and I regular heart attacks. And Joseph for always showing concern in his quiet way, together with Chief Umpire Ganesh and the rest of team, who supported us and provided regular amusement with their odd idiosyncracies.
And definitely thanks goes to Ms. Kuang and Mr. Chua for working so hard behind the scenes, and for having that knack at sensing the intangibles. Hmm? Last but not least, Coach for working us like mad, and steering us, both as a team and as different individuals, through to victory.
Oh, and definitely all the prefects and supporters who came down too, and cheered like MAD.
Thank you.
And for those who are feeling nauseous by now and think this is some kind of normal Sec 4 Bullshit, you have been devoured by cynicism and so I guess another blog would be more for you.
posted by Luae at 8:00 PM
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