2nd of March 2020
I am part of the TAFA (The Thaabit Ahmed Football Academy) football club, it is a club that allows us to train and play as a team with girls from all different schools. Chloe, Lizzie and I had the amazing opportunity to be scouted for the team in which they were planning on taking to Abu Dhabi for a tournament hosted by manchester. Us obviously being the football lovers that we are jumped at the opportunity. We have been training for 2 sessions a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) as well as training with our home gecko team. We were meant to be leaving for the tournament on the 26th of March and get back on the 30th, however, Corona had a different plan for us…
As our tired selves walked into training after a very long day of tests and summative we were greeted by our coach telling us that we had a game today against the women’s army football team. Our excitement overcame our previous fatigued selves and we were ready to play. However, our excitement was showed in a very sluggish manner.
Watch the ball intensely during the second half of our game. Photo: TAFA
We did a mini warm-up on the ladders until I had to go and work with my goalie coach. We worked on some agility and reaction work. He would ask me to jump over 5 cones and then be ready to receive a throw. After we did 12 rounds I worked on my jumping and catching high kicks that could be taken on me.
Kicking the ball during our goal kicks. Photo: TAFA
The starting team was announced and we got onto the field. Our coaches had decided to play this game with us so that we could have some support on the field. We were only one goal down before we got into the second half. We were no match to their quick passes and skilful strategies but we did put up a fight. They continued to target where I was weakest which was my lack of communication with my defence. I didn’t tell my defence when I couldn’t see the ball which caused them to shoot it right at me but I couldn’t see causing it to go straight into the goal.
A punt during the first half of the game. Photo: Gabby
However, Lizzie’s crosses were a force to be reckoned with. Chloe’s constant speed and agility when it came to stealing the ball from an opponent were another one of our hidden weapons.
The TAFA girls team were defeated but we all had really fun playing the game and it was an amazing experience. All the army girls were incredibly sweet and they were a pleasure to play against.
We had also found out that we wouldn’t be able to travel to Abu Dhabi for the game hosted by Manchester. We were absolutely distraught by the news. Not only was it the end of our TAFA journey but it would be an end to a very unique friendship that was created between Lizzie, Chloe and I. During the Tuk Tuk rides to practice, messing around with each other during training and the hugs of congratulations after a game would also come to an end. I didn’t think I would create such a strong friendship with these girls, but I’m glad I got to share Tuk Tuk rides with them on a Monday and Wednesday afternoon and make inside jokes but, lastly, I got to watch them flourish into the amazing footballers that they are today and these girls constantly astound me.
A kick during the first half of the game. Photo: Gabby
We might be having a tournament in Weligama if we can play against a couple of schools but the current COVID-19 situation will most likely postpone that.