Some time ago I was asked to write to athletes in Bolivia who were competing in the worlds. I was also asked in past years to address the USA junior team.
Here is a basic outline of what i said to both teams!
“It has been my honor to work with your coaches and some of you by video. I hope to meet you all and your families someday. (Bolivia-not USA in that sentence!)
As you train for your next tournaments I would like to remind you of a few things.
1. Yes, training is hard.
2. Yes, you have little time for yourselves.
3. Yes, your coaches keep pushing you.
4. But, so many kids in this world would love to have the opportunity you have. So many kids do not have good coaches to push them or even parents to teach them right from wrong. You are lucky. You have the coaches and you have your health and your families. You are lucky!
So respect your country. When the name of your country is on your uniform you represent your country. Make your country proud.
When you practice you are not practicing for yourself. You are practicing for your teammates. You do not want to let your teammates down. That means if you skip one practice you hurt your teammates, not yourself.
You are not respecting the time your coaches spend with you. They do all this work for the team and need you to practice for the team.
When you do not practice you do not respect your families who pay for your training, club memberships and transportation. Worse, you do not respect your teammates.
Train like a champion. Play like a champion. Respect yourself, your team, your families, your coaches, your opponents and your country.
Onward and upward!
and…
Go get’em Tigers!
Ve por ellas tigres!
Ve por ellos tigres!