By: Neela Patel, Sania Ansari, Lynley Burton
What is the definition of a team? A group of people that work together to accomplish a goal. The Middle School Girls Soccer Team is that and more.
“There are so many things I love about my team,” Maya Ramprasad said when asked to describe her team. “There is not one word to describe the team; there are so many parts to our team that are so important to all of us, but to me, it’s how we get along so well and have really good coaches.” All the girls on the team bonded very fast and became good friends before school started. When the girls’ soccer team had games, they showed spirit by covering their arms and faces with eye black.
The girls’ soccer team supports each other with encouragement. If someone feels bad about how they played, Maya and the rest of the team “lift them up and tell them to keep their heads up.” If someone makes a mistake, the team doesn’t put them down, and if someone makes a mistake, then it’s the whole team’s fault, not just that one person. “If there’s a goal, it’s not the goalie’s fault; it’s the team’s fault.” Maya said. Coach Hanley and Coach Haskins also support their team in many ways. Maya says, “They put a lot of effort into practice” and “They are always the loudest at games.”
Coach Hanley describes the whole team as “just wonderful.” When coach Hanley explained her coaching technique she described the importance of care “They don’t care what you know until they know you care,” She likes to show her support to the team by learning about each player and figuring out how to coach them in the best ways. “I love coaching at Seven Hills,” Hanley said.Hanley coaches the people on her team differently than others. She has been coaching at Seven Hills her whole career.Hanley’s old soccer coaches taught her how to set standards. Her old coaches impacted the way she teaches her own team. Coach Hanley says, “My best coaches always had standards.” She tries to keep standards for her team, no matter the players’ skill level.
“ I had so much fun coaching them,” Hanley said. Their girls’ soccer team had a very successful season, and they made an unbreakable bond. They went to the championship tournament, and even though they lost in the finals, they worked together and tried their best. “We had such a good time together,” said Maya Ramprasad, “I’m really gonna miss the middle school team.”