Holding back..

This past weekend, I was at a basketball clinic where high school varsity players would coach the elementary players. I was excited and was looking forward to the clinic where I would meet varsity players. Soon I was in the the gym; I looked around and realized I was  the only girl. What? in grade 3 and grade 4, 70 students signed up, and 69 of them boys? I looked around and not only there were no elementary girls, there was also not a single girl varsity player. Thinking I was in the wrong gym, I ran out to find where the girls clinic was. I soon learned, I was in the right gym and was terribly disappointed. Because I was the only girl who signed up, I would be playing with the boys team.

At that moment of realization, I had a feeling I should go home. I was so lonely. I tried to shoot with the boys during warm-up when one of the boys took my ball and wouldn't give it back. With wet eyes, I started walking towards my mom standing far away. The boy came running from behind and returned the ball which got me back into the court. Shortly, one of the coaches lined up the players and the drills began. I enjoyed the running, pacing, dribbling, but something in me was holding me back and I still wanted to leave.

By now I had made a couple of friends around me waiting in the queue. Soon I realized we were all just people playing a game and having fun. Why should it matter if its girls or boys? I followed my feelings and stayed, I thought it was fun.

I think girls should not hold themselves back and do what they want no matter what. It may be difficult and lonely in the start, but then if we continue to love what we do and are having fun, it wouldn't matter who is around us.