| Adelaide, Australia | 12 June 2017 | Asia Samachar |
By Jesamreen Brar
For the past 30 years, Sikhs teams from all around Australia have been taking part in the Australian Sikh Games. Here, they learn about sportsmanship. This year, the 11 of us were a part of the wonderful Australian Sikh Games for the second time. With our first ever time being in Brisbane, we were able to travel to Adelaide, from the 12-16 April 2017. We came out champs in the Under 17’s Netball. Oh, what a day it was.
Adelaide was a trip that we will all remember for many years to come. Finishing as runner’s up in 2016, we learned our weaknesses and our strengths. We developed our netball skills. Practising each Sunday at the Gurdwara Sahib, we gained the confidence and the agility required for the game.
As we departed from Perth, there was one thing set in each of our minds. We wanted to bring back the gold. The journey to Adelaide couldn’t have gone any faster as each one of us eagerly awaited waiting to get out on the court and play.
When it finally came to the first netball game, like every sports player, the nerves started settling in but as we were trained by our coach along with Ravi Uncle saying – “You go out there, and play the best you all can.” As instructed and taught, we played the best to our capability. Starting with the pre-game warm up in order to prevent us from any injuries, followed by the toss. As the adrenaline was getting to us, we screamed our cheer Swans on three, 1, 2, 3 and when the umpires blew the whistle we knew it was game time.
Eventually, as the game came to an end we won. It wasn’t about the win, but how we played and represented ourselves on the court proved that we were a team and that’s what matters more than any win. Not only did we learn new netball skills, but we grew as a team and developed mutual understanding of each other, whether we were out playing on the court or out admiring Adelaide’s scenery. Adelaide, was a city that was full of diversity and rich in culture. With sky-scrapers, and the Adelaide Oval being amongst so many of Adelaide’s pleasing attractions.
Up next was our biggest moment, as we reached the end of the mountain peak it was Grand Final Day. As the pressure built up on both sides, the game began. The experience was breath taking, with our hearts in our chest these four quarters were crucial and as the game drew to a close I couldn’t believe how fast the time had gone, we had won the Under 17’s Netball Grand Final. All the teams played exceptionally well with such big smiles and that represented the true colours of sincerity.
I would like to say a big thank you from all of the team to Satwinder Aunty along with both our coaches Kerry, and Ravi Uncle and our parents. Also the Gurdwara Sahib who let us represent them, and our community in the Annual Australian Sikh Games. Whom all cheered us on along the way, and kept us motivated and inspired us to be a team, and to play well, without them this win wouldn’t have been possible. A special thank you to Bennett Springs Gurdwara, who provided us with the sporting and training facilities of a netball court to train on and learn netball skills and eventually become champions.
The Adelaide event was well planned and orientated, with all the people whom we met being very welcoming and kind. It is always good to see, how even in different parts of Australia, we have such a good sense of belonging in our Sikh community.
Adelaide enabled each of us as individuals to learn the importance of team work and hard work, without both we wouldn’t have won. Team work is a crucial part of any team sports, as it is not a single individual playing. In netball when on the court with 7 players, we all have to work with one another in order to get goals in. Without this understanding amongst the 11, we wouldn’t have been successful in placing first place at the 30th Sikh Games.
Adelaide was a great learning podium along with having a great time as we brought back gold, Perth Sikh Swans hopes to have many more pleasing memories. Hoping that in the coming years, we are able to succeed and flourish in all that we do. To all the sports people out there-
“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” – Vince Lombardi
“A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.” – Mary Lou Retton
“The only way to prove that you’re a good sport is to lose.”– Ernie Banks
ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com
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