New Beginnings.... we are back! 30/09/2022 to 01/10/2022

In our time at Hurricanes, I was really reluctant to share photos of others, but that tells so much of the story. So here I am being brave and sharing but really writing to the girls here in this forum. I can track the readers, and essentially, it's just us here. So here is the story, here are the photos. Here is our love of the game. 

We are going a lot more local and this was our trials day with the Wynnum Jets. An organisation powered by volunteers and locals, founded in 2009. We had hoped that there would be kids from school, and more girls for Kirra's team. Two out of two. So far, so good. 

Now we have met the organisers here before. When we enrolled Kaiya at her school we were walking along a path and heard the sound of basketball coming from the stadium. We walked down the step and through the doors there was a table, everyone in orange club shirts, and watching kids play. There was an old couple sitting at a table with basketball equipment, supervising the game, and handing out freshly made cookies. They offered one to Kaiya, talked about their club and welcomed us to play. We had our own plans but each time we went past for afternoon pick-up form school, Kaiya wanted to drop in, say hi, and get a cookie. So we did. Then COVID happened and we didn't see them for a long time. We had some awesome seasons at Hurricanes then decided to start again, somewhere else. That is another story I might feel ready to write one day, but for now, I want to remember this new beginning and the trials this weekend.  

I want to remember: 

 - Seeing Michael out there Coaching again, and the awesome coach he got to work with. He was Coaching the boys at the other end of the court and I looked at him seeing him in his element, and knowing he will probably take on other teams and be a part of more kids stories. So natural, so beautiful, so very much Michael. 

- I want to remember Kaiya, stepping out on the court. She reminded her Dad that this wasn't her choice. Like the true champion she is, she got out there, played defence, laughed, connected with school mates, and was back, like a true basketballer, and competitor she is. We also ran into some familiar faces, i.e., competitors from the other association from another club. So interesting to see how small the Basketball community is sometimes. 

- I want to remember Kirra, playing with other kids her age and in her year level, showing them her toys, and playing while her sister tired out on the Friday. Then the next morning stepping out on the court and committing to the drills, trying to keep up and making three baskets. She has only ever made one in her life so far (without being lifted up by her Daddy) so scoring three baskets took her by surprise on a Saturday morning. A huge surprise. So awesome.                                                                 

- I want to remember that the volunteers / supervisors told us their basketball stories, and how they became a basketball family too. Trying to express how much this means to them, feeling the magic and wanting to share it. It lights them up. It lights us up too!