Sports cannot be a reality without a competitive nature. Without the desire to succeed, to defeat one’s opponent in a competition of hard earned skill and physical effort, sports would not exist. Competitiveness is a key element to any sport, which is why showing good sportsmanship is extremely difficult. Sportsmanship is the controlling of the competitive fire in an athlete, the respect for one’s rival, and the proper attitude shown by the athlete toward the referees and his opponents. Sportsmanship is the hardest quality for an athlete to express, as it goes against his very nature. Therefore, it is also the greatest honor an athlete can be awarded when others recognize it in him. The Fellowship Christian Academy Rams girls’ basketball team was bestowed this honor this past season.
It had been a difficult season; no wins can be a very discouraging thing. However, the team kept playing as hard as they could, trying their best to show respect and even friendliness to the teams they faced. Coach Celeste Brodnick reminded them that winning is not the most important thing in life. She says, “Playing with a good attitude and showing respect to other teams, coaches, and refs is more important.” With her influence, the team understood the necessity of having a good testimony for God on and off the court. Their hard work did not go unnoticed by the other teams. The Rams made many memories and friends this year with their opponents. Eventually, the team’s attitude on the court came to the attention of the head coaches of the MIAA, and the Rams were unanimously elected to receive the Sportsmanship Award out of 350 other girls’ basketball teams in Massachusetts! The girls and Coach Brodnick were ecstatic; the only other time the Rams had won this award was seven years prior. The team had the opportunity to go to TD Garden on March 12 2019, with Pastor Dan Trepanier (FCA Athletic Director) and Principal Mangum and to receive their award during the semi-finals of the MIAA girls’ basketball tournament. At halftime, the entire team went on court and received their award with excitement. It was an experience to remember as the cameras flashed and the court lights shone blindingly overhead.
After the game was finished, the group went out for dinner and celebrated their achievement. It was a hard won accomplishment, and it could never have been done without the God-given patience that Coach Brodnick and the girls on the team displayed. Even though they lost every single game, the Rams still won what mattered most in the end. ~Ester Mills FCA Junior; Rams basketball captain
