I do many things outside of school, such as sports. Sports have become a really big part of my life this past year, particularly field hockey. This is the sport I chose to write about. I’ve only been playing field hockey for just over 2 years, but it has become my favourite sport, and I’ve become very passionate about it. It’s always thrilling to go shopping for various field hockey items, such as gloves, socks, bags, and especially picking out a new stick. Field hockey also helps me to get my mind off of things and relieve stress.

I first got introduced to field hockey by my 6th grade teacher, and started on my school team. Before field hockey, I never really had a sport I was in to. When I first started off, I was very hesitant and never got aggressive with it. I didn’t know what I was doing or how to play, but of course, I received lots of help in order for me to understand the rules of the sport more. I ended up loving it, and slowly got more comfortable with it. I love field hockey because it has gotten me much more active, and helps me to be more energized. Field hockey has taught me to be more aggressive and be much less shy about it. My reflexes have gotten much better, and I’ve definitely got more fit and built up my stamina. I love being part of a team, and being surrounded by people who are just as happy about the sport as me. It has such a great community and so many people who help you to improve. Field hockey is definitely more than just a game; it engages and connects people.

I am very involved in the game in many different ways. I play during the fall for school, the spring for the spring league, the women’s league from fall to spring, and I also play for the regionals team. I have at least two practices and one game a week. I have just gotten used to going to tryouts and recently went to one for the regionals team. Tryouts have always been a struggle for me, but field hockey has made me so much more confident about them. I’ve learned so much during my 3 years of field hockey and will continue to play. My goal is to continue playing through university and get onto the provincial team. The positions I play are midfield and defence. The midfielders run most on the field as they kind of play both forward and defence, which I really enjoy. They run all around the field and support the other positions. Defenders, given their name, defend the net. They stop the ball from going to the goalie and net. I enjoy stopping the ball and running it up the sides, and using my skills and the moves I know to get around the opponent. Overall, I really enjoy playing a team sport and am really passionate about it.

Here is a photo of me during one my women’s games, taking up the ball.