Some would say the sound of a basketball bouncing can become incredibly annoying (although it’s actually not). Not to mention multiple basketballs all bouncing. That is, however, what you will hear if you enter the Avondale School MPC on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday morning from 6.30am. You’ll find the space filled with young people - some wide awake, others a little sleepy eyed. All there for the purpose of getting better at something that they love. Basketball.
It’s interesting what a teenager will do for something they love; pack a bag the night before, wake up in the dark, get to school well before sunrise when the temperature is 5 degrees or less. All things that might not automatically be seen as attractive, are done with measures of ease because of the end goal. The end goal could be a variety of things. Fitness, friendship, representing Avondale at the next tournament or just breakfast after training.
And then there’s the harder mornings. The ones after the late night working on an assessment task, preparing for a test or watching tv a little longer than planned. The mornings when the alarm goes off and the temptation to hit snooze or ignore the wake up call for a few more precious minutes of sleep is strong. The goal is still there. The process is the same. It’s just a little harder to get started.
One of the special things about basketball is that it is a team sport. It’s not possible to win a basketball game by yourself. And the team is only as strong as its weakest player. Success requires teamwork with everyone helping everyone else to achieve their best.
What goals do you have? What is it that you are striving towards? What are you passionate about and who are you surrounding yourself with as you work towards it? Goals are easy to create, harder to achieve.
It’s the kaizen moments that make the real difference. The small, incremental changes made every day. The 1% improvements that add up over time. The decision to get out of bed when the alarm first goes off. The decision to go with a friend for accountability. The doing it, even when it’s hard.
On Saturday night, July 25 the Avondale School MPC was no longer filled with the sound of bouncing basketballs. Instead you could hear people cheering as the Adventist National Games (ANG) volleyball tournament began. Students had travelled from as far north as Mackay and as far south as Hobart to participate, and the time, energy, and effort they had invested in training was clearly evident as the intense games began. This energy was matched by the basketball teams playing at the Avondale University auditorium the next day.
Drills that may have felt monotonous, training sessions that were hard to get to, and games played when exhausted had now turned into exciting games and great results.
Simon Sinek is well known for his call to know your why. So why do you do what you do? Who do you want to become and what are you doing to get there?
God calls us to be the best version of ourselves possible. Colossians 3:23, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your might.' Let’s do it.
Miss Karlie Fraser
Stage 5 Coordinator (Years 9 & 10)
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