BadmintonWAunder15s 2019: 1st day of the competition

We woke up and had breakfast cooked by Titus's mum Irene and Phing's mum Susanna. The breakfast was greatly appreciated. It is amazing what these ladies can do with the resources they have.

After breakfast and a briefing by the coach, it was time for the drive up to the stadium.

I do not know about the kids, but as a parent I was feeling the butterflies in my tummy. A lot of the kids have never taken part in a national competition before. They must have been feeling pterosaurs in their tummies.

When we arrived at the stadium, there was the team photo taking and the opening ceremony.

Here are some photos:

Titus and his cool hat


Tyz and Edmund getting ready for battle

The Mascot for the competition

The first team that we played against was the NSW No. 1 team. I do not exaggerate when I say they were all much older and bigger than our WA players.

Unfortunately the NSW 1 team was much too strong for the WA team. The only person who managed a win of a set was Phing. The rest of the kids were totally overwhelmed.

It was so discouraging and I could see the spirit of the WA players and parents going downhill.

The NSW 1 team were very fair and sporting. Although the WA players lost all but one set, they still held their heads high as they all played their best.

Lunch followed and for the kids, we were lucky to have sandwiches and rolls prepared by Irene and Susanna.

The next match after lunch was against the Victorian No. 1 team.

What was going to happen? They are supposed to be one of the strongest team in the competition.

The 1^st game was Tyzton and Edmund against their No. 2 team. After a hard fought game, Edmund and Tyzton lost the 1^st set. They came back on the 2^nd set and recovered. It was down to their 1^st 3 setter in the competition. After a really nail biting finish Tyzton and Edmund triumphed. It was such a relief. All the training they have had just to know that, yes , they can mix with the best.

I must say there was a tear in my eye after seeing how hard they fought without giving up. When Tyzton saw me later, I said it was hay fever, that was why I was teary.

Kim Rogers said Tyzton was playing like a child possessed by a man. Tyzton took it as a compliment.

Meanwhile in the next court, there was another epic battle between Phing Teo and Silvi against their no. 1 girls doubles competitor. After losing the 1^st set, the girls came back to set the stage for a fight to the death. They triumphed through sheer determination and belief in themselves.

That was a much better start to the afternoon. We lost the next few games as these kids from NSW were big and strong.

Alexandra and Olivier despite being one of the youngest girls in the competition are showing their fighting spirit. They know how much each point means and they go for each point.

Edmund has been doing a stirling job as no. 1 seed. He has been playing his best against the other no. 1 seeds but I am sure there will be more of him in the next matches.

The next game was Jazton against Shaun Matthews. Jaz lost the first set. He went down smiling but knowing that was just the start of the game. He won the next set while grinning and joking. It was down to the final set and Jaz did not disappoint. He is Mr Cool under pressure. Jaz won the final set much to his relief I think as Tyzton had already won his 1^st game. This sibling rivalry takes so much out of their dad.

The rest of the games were lost although I must say all the WA players played above their personal best. Special mention to Edward! He is the smallest in the field but has a big heart and has been playing his heart out.

The last game was Phing Teo and Jaz against the Victorian No. 1 mixed double including quite an obnoxious girl player. She had a habit of shouting at her opponents face when she won a point. It was most unsportswomanlike. However, our players took it in good stead and just smiled away her obnoxiousness. She was squealing and screaming like a spoilt brat. We lost the game but held our heads high.

It was a tough day. Some of the players have yet to win a game but they have showed their true character . All parents should be proud of them. Titus has shown us that heart is more important than height. He has done us proud by going for every shot.

Whatever they do, the WA kids make me proud.

It was a tough day. There is confidence that tomorrow will be better.

I often wonder how I manage to survive all the heartaches and triumph they endure.