Well, it has been a while since I wrote a note.
We just finished our season as the Junior Redhawks. It was a very interesting season. After two games we were 0-2. Now this wasn't totally surprising in that we played two teams we knew would probably make the play-offs. You see in our league it is very hard to make the play-offs because there are 8 teams (for 4 spots).
Going into the week of our third game, we decided as coaches to make sure we did lots of tackling drills. Does anyone know what I mean when I say, "Oklahoma". Those of you who know football know "Oklahoma". Day after day we worked hard to make sure the lads did lots of tackling and blocking, really the two things that win football games.
After a very hard, physical week of practice we won our third game, and our fourth and fifth and sixth. So after 6 games we were 4-2. What an incredible turn around. We were so proud of the lads and all their hard work. This is not an easy task for any football team.
In the sixth game against Renfrew we needed a win to get into the play-offs. After 6 minutes in the first quarter we were down 14-0. Coach C took a time out and we had a chat with the lads something like, "we have worked way to hard to get here and lose this game". The boys rallied and we scored 28 points to their 6 in the rest of the game.
Ultimately we lost in the semis to a very strong team from up the road but we played hard and left everything on the field.
I am so very proud of the Junior Redhawks. What was the lesson I learned this year?
IF YOU WORK HARD AND PRACTICE HARD AND PLAY AS A TEAM, YOU CAN WIN!!
No isn't that the lesson of life. We don't just show up and we are successful. We have to work hard. I just want to encourage you in whatever aspect of life, whether: family, school, work, athletics, music, art, or just trying to get ahead. We need to do our very best.
Those of you that are parents lets set a good example and show our kids that hard work pays off.
It is a real honour for me to coach and I hope that the life lessons of football affects the lads for many years!
Until next time, one of my favourite sayings: PLAY HARD, PRAY HARD and EAT HARD (lol)
Leave it all on the field, football or life!!
Coach Birley
Wednesday 12 November 2014
Sunday 29 June 2014
THE PROUD, THE FEW, THE TYKE RENEGADES!!!
Well, we just finished an incredible season of Tyke football... but let's go back to the beginning of this story...
It started in the gym at SFDCI we always start with some indoor "stuff" while the snow melts. This year that took a little longer. We started with only about 10 boys and after some serious recruiting from a friend or two we ended up with 16. Now for those of you that do not know... Tyke football is 10 a side and so 16 is a really small team.
Well, have you ever heard of: mighty mouse, under dog, David (as in Goliath). Well we had an incredible season. The odds were stacked against us. Most of the teams we played had at least 20 players some 25. We play our hearts out with most players going two ways for a lot of the season.
One particular games stands out to me. We were playing the best team in the league in the semi-finals, at half time the score was 31-12 for them. We were really getting beaten up and it was very hot and we only had 13 boys and one girl for a total of 14 that day. The referee talked to me at the half and I shared that I wanted to see how we did on the first series in the second half and if we did not do well, it might be good for us to "run the clock". Well, on the first series we scored!! The game ended 46-33. That's right they got 2 more touchdowns and we got 3 more so we won the second half!!! I was so proud of our team! We encouraged them and their parents were amazing cheering on and on in the game!! Yes, we did lose the game, but not one of those players left the field with their heads hanging low! The following week we went on to win the Tyke Consolation Championship.
LESSONS LEARNED: So what's the deal. What did I learn and what can we learn from this incredible Tyke season? Well, when you are down, don't give up! When you are smaller keep fighting! When you are few, you are not alone! When you feel like givin' up, don't GIVE UP!!
In life there will be lots of times when you feel like the underdog, that everything is stacked against you, keep going, keep trying you can do it!!
A special thanks this year to a new friend who joined us this year! You know who you are you might own a grocery store some where near Westport.
Until Next Time
See Ya on the Field and God Bless
Coach Birley
It started in the gym at SFDCI we always start with some indoor "stuff" while the snow melts. This year that took a little longer. We started with only about 10 boys and after some serious recruiting from a friend or two we ended up with 16. Now for those of you that do not know... Tyke football is 10 a side and so 16 is a really small team.
Well, have you ever heard of: mighty mouse, under dog, David (as in Goliath). Well we had an incredible season. The odds were stacked against us. Most of the teams we played had at least 20 players some 25. We play our hearts out with most players going two ways for a lot of the season.
One particular games stands out to me. We were playing the best team in the league in the semi-finals, at half time the score was 31-12 for them. We were really getting beaten up and it was very hot and we only had 13 boys and one girl for a total of 14 that day. The referee talked to me at the half and I shared that I wanted to see how we did on the first series in the second half and if we did not do well, it might be good for us to "run the clock". Well, on the first series we scored!! The game ended 46-33. That's right they got 2 more touchdowns and we got 3 more so we won the second half!!! I was so proud of our team! We encouraged them and their parents were amazing cheering on and on in the game!! Yes, we did lose the game, but not one of those players left the field with their heads hanging low! The following week we went on to win the Tyke Consolation Championship.
LESSONS LEARNED: So what's the deal. What did I learn and what can we learn from this incredible Tyke season? Well, when you are down, don't give up! When you are smaller keep fighting! When you are few, you are not alone! When you feel like givin' up, don't GIVE UP!!
In life there will be lots of times when you feel like the underdog, that everything is stacked against you, keep going, keep trying you can do it!!
A special thanks this year to a new friend who joined us this year! You know who you are you might own a grocery store some where near Westport.
Until Next Time
See Ya on the Field and God Bless
Coach Birley
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