Men’s Pan Am Youth Blog – Day 9

February 5, 2010

Canadian National Jersey Presentation From the Coaches

Today we were allowed to sleep in until 10:30, which allowed us to catch up on our sleep.

We had our usual pancake and omelette breakfast. CJ missed the team breakfast because he had to go to the hospital. Steacy and Amanda wanted to have CJ’s leg injury from yesterdays practise checked out by a doctor.

We had a few hours break until practice. A few of us watched a Russel Peters movie in Big Alv’s room. Part-way through the movie C.J. came into the room with a large bandage on his leg. He told us that he was out for a minimum of 3 weeks because his leg was broken. We were all stunned – I wish you could have seen Coach Aaron’s face – but then CJ burst out laughing and told us he was joking and he was actually fine.

At 1:55 we met in the meeting room. We had no idea what this meeting was going to be about. Minder started with his reflections on what it meant to be a Canadian. How his mother and father had scarified to give him and his brothers a better life. Minder talked about how wearing a Canadian National Uniform will mean something different to each and every athlete, but how so many people have given so much that we can wear this uniform with pride and freedom.

Aaron followed Minder moving speech with calling up each athlete one by one – commenting on the personal abilities and the role they will add to the team.

Then individual pictures were taken with the athlete holding up their Canadian National Jersey with the coaches.

All in all what a wonderful tradition to have a jersey presentation ceremonial for all us first timers.

At 5:00 we had our last practice before the tournament begins, we worked hard on all the drills.

After returning to the hotel we had dinner and ice baths.

Tomorrow is a rest day before we start the tournament.

Paul Wharton # 18

Canadian National Men’s U-17 Field Hockey Team Member