A Time For Reflection: Shannon At The Women’s Masters Ball Hockey World Championships, Prague

On returning from Prague, it has been straight back into the daily grind. Work, and the return of the school run, on top of the hockey season starting has made this reflection a long time coming.  At the same time being thrown back into reality, a month later, I’m hoping this reflection will be easier to write.    

What are the moments that I keep revisiting on the commute to work?

When something innocuous triggers a memory that makes me giggle.

What if anything has been the takeaway (life lesson) I can use in future seasons, for work, or with a certain 10-year-old bound to continue to play sport?  These are the thoughts that have been following me around waiting to be put together in a succinct little page or two.

My first overwhelming feeling is HUMBLING PRIDE. I will be forever grateful to be a part of something so much bigger than myself.

As the first Women’s Masters team from the UK to be entered into the World Championships, I don’t think anyone knew what to expect. We were competitive! All we had to compare it to was when the seniors/juniors went away and how they had managed in their tournaments. Canada and the USA first team proved to be the teams to beat, and we managed to give each a game, keeping the score line respectable.

When we won against Slovenia it will be a point in my life I will remember forever.

After each win in the tournament, the side on top would hear their national anthem play over the loudspeaker.

Not long before we took to the rink the news broke about the Queen’s family dropping everything and going to see her. 

As it transpires, we were probably one of the last teams to have sung the national anthem to the Queen at a sporting event, as the win happened probably around the same time she passed.

I have never been prouder to be a part of my adopted country.  To share in the experience with my teammates made me feel well and truly like I belonged.

 One of the most common questions I get asked when a person finds out I am from America and have settled in the UK is, why?  The simple answer is, I miss my American family more than words can say but I love the life that has been built here in the UK.

I am doing a job I love; my 10-year-old is immersed in a sporting environment, and I am playing a sport at an age where so many people look to retire.

I get to prove that age is just a number and if I can start playing in my 30’s, surely anyone else can have a go for no other reason than it will be a bit of fun.

It was in that moment of singing the national anthem it all came together for me, the truth in the statement I love the life we have built.

My next overwhelming feeling is a newfound sense of CONFIDENCE.

Anyone who knows me will probably have heard me say at some point, I want to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way.

I am no stranger to throwing myself (or loved ones) off the deep end.  I only ended up in goal for ice hockey off the back of a parents’ game of ball hockey because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

I get myself involved in these things as a boy mom who takes her son to whatever sport it may be, to hear “Our women’s team is looking for players”.

I always back myself to give something a go, but then it takes on a level of self-deprecation.

“Unlucky your stuck with me in net”, all the while knowing I will put in the effort. 

This has been a barrier in my own head which made me nervous, and even anxious about being good enough.

The last game of the tournament has been a turning point for me.  My team played well in front of me, but in the end, I helped bring that game to 10 mins of overtime, and then penalty shootout.

What a stage to experience my first penalty shootout, against a USA team.  Unfortunately, we lost the game - after saving two shots we hadn’t scored on the other goalie, and they found the back of the net. 

I was devastated, but only for a minute. My teammates came out to me straightaway and I was enveloped in one massive hug.

The words of encouragement and how proud everyone was of me, and the team for that performance is something I will never forget. 

At the end of the day there may not be a whole lot of choice, but I have proved that the work I put in has paid off and I deserve to be there on merit. Not only can I do a job, but I can do it well for my team.  

So, no more self-deprecation. I am going to get out of my own head squashing the little voice that says, “you’re not good enough” and take the lyrics from my favourite song to heart.

“I am the fire

“I am burning brighter

“Roaring like a storm

“And I am the one

“I’ve been waiting for” (I Am The Fire, Halestorm)

Isn’t it amazing how much one little game can affect a person! It is a trip I will never forget full of laughs, support, and new friendships that will last a lifetime. I wonder what next season’s life lessons will be?

You too can learn how to accept challenges and excel while learning about yourself. Shannon is a personal trainer who works with people of all ages and abilities and will help you realise your potential. Find out more about Shannon here.