Kelly's World

Photo credit: rolleh

“C’mon people, the clock is ticking and you’re not on the court yet!” said a timid voice from behind me. Turning, I realised it was the ref.

‘Oh geez’, I sighed. If she was scared telling us to get on the court, how was she going to go telling us when we had done something wrong?

I shouldn’t have worried. She never told us when we did something wrong, somehow those moments slid past unpenalised. Oh no, instead she called a penalty when we were clearly in the right. If you were holding the ball and someone knocked it out of your hands, she’d call contact. On you. Aka you lose the ball.

Um, righto.

As a result, a couple of players started to get frustrated (C included, as he couldn’t do anything right in her eyes, I suggested that maybe his height of 6ft 8 meant that in her opinion he needed to be at least 6ft 8 away from everyone else at all times). I simply laughed it off and kept playing, after all it was just a friendly competition, no need to get narky.

For a bit of background in my netballing history, I’m a defense player so I know when it’s necessary to use my body and be firm or not. I play firm but not rough, and certainly not dirty.  When it comes to super league my effort increases by 1000%, yet I still don’t resort to using knees, elbows and shoulders. It’s only when another player starts playing dirty against me that I will hold my position even firmer and use my body to push them around a little bit, but that’s incredibly rare. In this case the shooter and I had a great time chatting and laughing, but both playing seriously when we needed to. We also played respectively, appreciating there would be contact (inevitable in the game of netball) yet not getting phased by it at all and certainly not holding a grudge against each other.

And then my team swapped me into the shooting position.

I don’t play this position often, so I only know a couple of things:

1. Find the free space for your team to pass to you easily
2. Hold your position firmly in the circle so that the defence can’t get around you
3. Get yourself between your other shooter (goal attack) and defense so that you can hold the defense back, and let the goal attack take the shot without as much pressure

I suspect it was the last two items combined that got me into hot water. As a defense player my instinct is to get under the ring ready for rebounds, and my opposition wanted to get into that same position. I didn’t let them. This meant they weren’t able to easily defend the other shooter when he had the ball, and as a result, the defense did not like this.

My goal attack, Bretto, and I were doing well. We had made a comeback and got our team in front. I was holding the defense off him, getting a few shots in myself, and generally playing a good game. I was not playing dirty. Then suddenly…

WHAM! Shoved from behind!

“STOP FUCKING PUSHING ME!” she screamed.

I was stunned for a second, and then started laughing. Hard.

“Are you fucking serious?!” I replied. “Cause if you are, that’s really funny. Are you seriously trying to start a fight on the fucking netball court?”

Then shamefully, I uttered the stupid bogan tough line:

“If you want to start something, I will slam you.”

Urgh, not proud of that. But from that point on she tried her best to push me over, use elbows on me etc, and every single time I laughed. I couldn’t help it, her determination was impressive! Her anger even more so.

At one point I caught the ball, then tried to turn around to shoot. I merely pivoted on my foot to face the ring and in doing so stood up straight, where I found she was only 10cm from my face. Another rare moment for the night, the ref made the right call and penalised her for obstruction.  “She stepped in!!” the girl screamed at the ref. “Actually, I just rotated my foot” I replied in a smart ass tone.

Pretty clearly, I was a bitch for the rest of the game. A whole 3mins.

At the end of the game she tried to shake my hand, but I refused and said to her “no thanks, not if you’re going to start shit on the court”. I don’t think I’ve ever refused to shake someone’s hand outright like that before, and I was a little bit shocked at myself. But honestly, it’s just a game, there’s no need to play dirty and push people around unnecessarily. I’m not going to just forget about that when the whistle blows. My integrity stays with me during, and after, a game. I won’t excuse people pushing me, elbowing me and being dirty, and I certainly won’t shake their hand to reward them for it.

I wonder what will happen next time we play that team.

Oh boy, what a most awesome weekend ahead.

Tonight, as I write this post I am watching the Adelaide v Melbourne game in the A-League (I only cheer for Harry Kewell tho). Tomorrow morning I head to the beach for 5 hours of lifesaving patrol, before watching Brisbane take on Sydney in the soccer again.

Sunday we have the Trans-Tasman test (Australia v New Zealand) in the Rugby League before the same two nations go head-to-head again in the Rugby Union World Cup semi final. Important bragging rights there! Those two games will be viewed in amongst a BBQ at C’s house with friends.

So yes, it’s definitely the weekend of football!! I guess I will need to get my rest when I can; I’ve got lots of cheering to do! Go Harry/Brisbane/Australia/Australia!!!

Last night I went around to a friend’s place to watch the Socceroos v Oman game, another one of the world cup qualifying matches. It was an entertaining game with some great saves and goals, and we ended up winning 3-0. Can’t complain about that!

C came around to watch it as well, and at the end of the night you could tell he was slightly relieved it was over. He absolutely loves his sports, but I think if there was something else on offer to do that evening he may very well have done that instead. He hasn’t quite fallen for the game yet, but that’s fine. I’m not going to push it on him, and I’m happy to go to the games with my friends that enjoy it. I have to give him props for trying though. I do hope that my love for the sport will rub off on him eventually, and I know that if my team got into the finals he wouldn’t hesitate in coming to that; during the season I don’t think he’s all that keen. It’s also a bonus that the soccer season is on during the NRL off-season, otherwise I wouldn’t have a hope in hell of getting him to watch anything other than handegg.

Source: Daily Haha

He also doesn’t understand how I can talk or use my phone during the game and not miss anything that’s going on. He’s certain that I’m not watching it, but every time he’s asked me what just happened I haven’t been wrong (the moment will come, I’m sure). I guess he hasn’t figured out just how good I can be at multi-tasking when the situation calls for it

One day he’ll understand how amazing women are.

Right now it’s incredibly dark outside, the wind has picked up and warnings are being issued repeatedly for a big storm that’s heading right for the Sunshine Coast. Yet nothing can ruin today for me, nothing.

A-League is back.

It’s been a mammoth off-season, with the beginning of the season pushed back to avoid starting during the finals of the other football codes in the country. Brilliant idea I think, and hopefully it means we will see some increased spectator numbers. Last season was an amazing time for football in this country (soccer for some), with my favourite team, Brisbane Roar, taking out both pieces of the silverware. Love it.

To celebrate the start of the season, a group of us on twitter are meeting up beforehand. There’ll be drinks, introductions, chanting, and lots of chatter.

If you’re interested in coming (we’ll accept supporters from other clubs, although we may stir you a little), the details are:

Hotel LA
Caxton St
Brisbane
6pm – kick off (make sure you leave with enough time that you don’t miss kick off though!)

We have even created a facebook event page, which you can find here. The invitation is open to everyone so feel free to just show up unannounced and meet some new faces! I’ll be sure to post some pictures from the meet up tomorrow, once I come down from the high of the start of the new season.

Tonight’s game couldn’t be any better. It’s a grand final replay between my beloved Roar and Central Coast Mariners; I can’t wait. Is it time to go yet?

Yesterday was the annual Sunday Mail Suncorp Bridge 2 Brisbane, a fun run held in the Queensland capital of Brisbane. The 10km event runs over one of the best known bridges within the city, the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge (formerly the Gateway Bridge), hence how the race got its name. The 5km course joins the 10km halfway along, running along the river until ending up in the RNA showgrounds. Apart from the bridge and a small incline towards the end of the race, it’s a relatively flat course.

View Bridge to Brisbane in a larger map

This year is the third time I’ve entered in the run, but it’s the first time I have ever actually done it entirely by myself. Previously I had done it with my sister (we walked it), and my ex (walk/run), but this year there wasn’t anyone that was very keen in joining in. Despite this I decided to enter it anyway, and figured the opportunity would allow me to really push myself. No excuses, no one holding me back, it was all up to me.

Talking about the race the night before with a friend I expressed a desire to complete the run in 70mins, but never seriously expected I would be able to do it.

I’m proud to say I managed to complete the race in 70mins and 55 seconds.

WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!

That’s an average pace of just over 7mins per kilometre, which is my best pace yet. Normally I average around 7.5 – 8mins, and according to my iPhone app I was actually averaging 6mins 30 seconds for most of the run (I fatigued towards the end, so had a few periods of walking). Awesome!

It wasn’t my best run either by a long shot – I did get a few stitches again and had to walk a little bit of the race, which means I still have to room to improve on that time again! Maybe I should set myself a goal of being ridiculously fit next year and aim to get around the 60min mark? I think the fact that I’d done a big workout the day before with my personal trainer may have had something to do with it, since my legs felt pretty dead early on.

I tried to take some photos, but other than at the start of the race I didn’t really get a chance – I was too busy running! I didn’t notice that many costumes in the race this year either, but I was ahead of the walkers group where most of the costumes make an appearance. I did hear talk of a girl who was dressed up as a concrete truck (um, why?!) and saw the few usual mario kart costumes along with the super heros (the Flash, Superman, Batman etc). And as usual, there were a number of girls running in tutus….can’t say that’s something I would ever contemplate doing.

Waiting for the race to start

Looking towards the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge with runners already making their way up

I’m hoping that next year I’ll be able to convince some more people to join in the run, purely because I would love to share the enjoyment I get out of participating. To be honest though, entering the race by myself wasn’t as bad as I expected. I thought I would feel a bit lonely and strange, but it’s just further evidence of my growing confidence that I have no problems being on my own now.

Did anyone else join in the Bridge 2 Brisbane this year? Or have you ever entered in a fun run; and if so, what did you think of it?