Jasmine Mander
Jasmine Mander is a 16-year-old from British Columbia, playing for the U18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the BC Soccer Provincial team.
Sept. 1, 2011
Overcoming adversity
I'm writing this blog sitting thousands of metres in the air as I fly home from camp with the U17 Canadian Women's National Team. I can't help but think about the fantastic summer I had this year, but also all the challenges faced since I last flew home from a National Team Camp a year ago with the U15's. It wasn’t all smiles and good times then, but it was my first taste of adversity.
Things went from bad to worse for a while there, but I started to gain real experience, the kind you get when things aren't going the way you'd like. As I was stuck in my little rut, I felt like it didn’t matter how hard I worked, I was ready for another blow around every bend. I guessed right most of the time. I laugh now at how things unfolded, but I can tell you I wasn’t laughing then. At the end of the day, I learned many lessons that eventually proved to help me, but at barely 15, it was sometimes hard to see and understand what was happening and why it was happening to me.
Over time though, I began to realize everybody has a story. As I continue to write mine, obviously I hope it’s smooth sailing the rest of the way, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be. Like I said in my first blog, I have faith that with the help of my family, friends, and teammates, I'll pull through and continue on this ride.
Anyways, this summer was incredible. I played in my last season with BC Soccer where we won a bronze medal at Nationals and a gold medal at Western Canada Games. It's one thing to go in as the underdogs and win, but it's also nice to go in as favourites and get the job done. I also made my international debut for Team Canada against Japan. I know that experience and feeling is something I'll never forget for the rest of my life. That was a big milestone for me, but on to the next!
There is so much to look forward with the upcoming season. I'm excited to go into my second year with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and working hard to stay in the national team player pool for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. I know there is a lot of work to do this year on and off the field as well as in the classroom before I can achieve any of my goals, but more than any other emotion, the thought excites me. This is the buzz I love…putting absolutely everything you have into something not knowing if I'll get anything in return…but this is the game, this is the ride. I mean, the kicks of riding a roller coaster aren't nearly as thrilling unless you throw your hands in the air every time you hit a big drop.
Overcoming adversity
I'm writing this blog sitting thousands of metres in the air as I fly home from camp with the U17 Canadian Women's National Team. I can't help but think about the fantastic summer I had this year, but also all the challenges faced since I last flew home from a National Team Camp a year ago with the U15's. It wasn’t all smiles and good times then, but it was my first taste of adversity.
Things went from bad to worse for a while there, but I started to gain real experience, the kind you get when things aren't going the way you'd like. As I was stuck in my little rut, I felt like it didn’t matter how hard I worked, I was ready for another blow around every bend. I guessed right most of the time. I laugh now at how things unfolded, but I can tell you I wasn’t laughing then. At the end of the day, I learned many lessons that eventually proved to help me, but at barely 15, it was sometimes hard to see and understand what was happening and why it was happening to me.
Over time though, I began to realize everybody has a story. As I continue to write mine, obviously I hope it’s smooth sailing the rest of the way, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be. Like I said in my first blog, I have faith that with the help of my family, friends, and teammates, I'll pull through and continue on this ride.
Anyways, this summer was incredible. I played in my last season with BC Soccer where we won a bronze medal at Nationals and a gold medal at Western Canada Games. It's one thing to go in as the underdogs and win, but it's also nice to go in as favourites and get the job done. I also made my international debut for Team Canada against Japan. I know that experience and feeling is something I'll never forget for the rest of my life. That was a big milestone for me, but on to the next!
There is so much to look forward with the upcoming season. I'm excited to go into my second year with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and working hard to stay in the national team player pool for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. I know there is a lot of work to do this year on and off the field as well as in the classroom before I can achieve any of my goals, but more than any other emotion, the thought excites me. This is the buzz I love…putting absolutely everything you have into something not knowing if I'll get anything in return…but this is the game, this is the ride. I mean, the kicks of riding a roller coaster aren't nearly as thrilling unless you throw your hands in the air every time you hit a big drop.
July 30, 2011
From Nutrilite All-Stars to U17 Canadian National Team
“You blink and it's over,” … well isn't that the truth. It's already August. The summer is half over. It sure feels like it gets shorter ever year, but I guess that’s just the grey skies of Vancouver getting to me. With Team BC, I was in Hamilton for the National Championships (Nutrilite All-Stars) last week. Staying and playing at McMaster University, the provinces were divided into two groups. BC, Ontario and Team Atlantic in group one, and Saskatoba, Quebec and Alberta in group two. The winner of the group would be directly seeded into the gold medal game, second place into the bronze medal game and last in the group..keep some pride. Only joking, they played for fifth and sixth.
On a hot and humid evening, our first game was against the host province Ontario. We went down, 2-0 early, but we were in for some dramatics. Getting one goal back before the half, the equalizer eventually came off some pretty dangles and a topshelf finish. Opinions aside, Ontario got a PK in injury time. Our keeper was totally clutch and saved it. With a tie, we were still alive and topping the group remained a possibility.
Twenty-four hours later, we faced Team Atlantic in our last group game. Although we didn’t openly talk about it, we knew that we needed to beat them by more goals than Ontario would in order to advance. Chances came, and came, and came. 1-0. I never knew that a win could feel like a loss.
A couple days later Ontario would play Team Atlantic. With little hope left, we watched Ontario go up 3-0 and figured we best get out of the sun and prepare for our bronze medal game. For those hoping to hear about some great comeback from Team Atlantic, sorry to disappoint. I never checked what the final score was. We beat Saskatoba and came home with bronze. And then it was over. Four years of playing with the BC Provincial Team, done. I'd gone right through the system, from U13 to U16. An absolutely incredible and unforgettable experience.
With the madness of the summer season over, August usually makes for a quiet month as I would wait for club soccer to resume. But not this year. This year, just about every box on the August calendar has something penciled in. First, a combination 1995/96 born players will be in Kamloops for the Western Canada Games, which happens every four years. It is basically a national championships with only the western provinces and territories. It’s another chance to finish the summer with a gold medal, which is promising. About a week after that, it will down to California for a camp with the U17 Canadian National Team where we are scheduled to play two international matches against Japan. Somewhere in between, it’s back with the Whitecaps.
Before I know it, I'll find a package in the mailbox from Seaquam and I'll be on the phone hoping my friends and I have the same classes. But until then, there's a lot of football to be played and its going to be an exciting second half to the summer. There is still a lot to do. I mean, if I’m looking at the glass half full, it's only August!
From Nutrilite All-Stars to U17 Canadian National Team
“You blink and it's over,” … well isn't that the truth. It's already August. The summer is half over. It sure feels like it gets shorter ever year, but I guess that’s just the grey skies of Vancouver getting to me. With Team BC, I was in Hamilton for the National Championships (Nutrilite All-Stars) last week. Staying and playing at McMaster University, the provinces were divided into two groups. BC, Ontario and Team Atlantic in group one, and Saskatoba, Quebec and Alberta in group two. The winner of the group would be directly seeded into the gold medal game, second place into the bronze medal game and last in the group..keep some pride. Only joking, they played for fifth and sixth.
On a hot and humid evening, our first game was against the host province Ontario. We went down, 2-0 early, but we were in for some dramatics. Getting one goal back before the half, the equalizer eventually came off some pretty dangles and a topshelf finish. Opinions aside, Ontario got a PK in injury time. Our keeper was totally clutch and saved it. With a tie, we were still alive and topping the group remained a possibility.
Twenty-four hours later, we faced Team Atlantic in our last group game. Although we didn’t openly talk about it, we knew that we needed to beat them by more goals than Ontario would in order to advance. Chances came, and came, and came. 1-0. I never knew that a win could feel like a loss.
A couple days later Ontario would play Team Atlantic. With little hope left, we watched Ontario go up 3-0 and figured we best get out of the sun and prepare for our bronze medal game. For those hoping to hear about some great comeback from Team Atlantic, sorry to disappoint. I never checked what the final score was. We beat Saskatoba and came home with bronze. And then it was over. Four years of playing with the BC Provincial Team, done. I'd gone right through the system, from U13 to U16. An absolutely incredible and unforgettable experience.
With the madness of the summer season over, August usually makes for a quiet month as I would wait for club soccer to resume. But not this year. This year, just about every box on the August calendar has something penciled in. First, a combination 1995/96 born players will be in Kamloops for the Western Canada Games, which happens every four years. It is basically a national championships with only the western provinces and territories. It’s another chance to finish the summer with a gold medal, which is promising. About a week after that, it will down to California for a camp with the U17 Canadian National Team where we are scheduled to play two international matches against Japan. Somewhere in between, it’s back with the Whitecaps.
Before I know it, I'll find a package in the mailbox from Seaquam and I'll be on the phone hoping my friends and I have the same classes. But until then, there's a lot of football to be played and its going to be an exciting second half to the summer. There is still a lot to do. I mean, if I’m looking at the glass half full, it's only August!
July 14, 2011
"Now it's time for us to work together"
Here I am again, two weeks into July, heading to my third National Championship in as many years. Without going into the tournament format or setup too much, it's more technically known as the Nutrilite All Stars, and it gathers U-15/U-16 Provincial Teams from across Canada. To put it into perspective, it's like saying each state in the U.S. puts together a team and plays it out for the national crown.
I play for the U-16 British Columbia Provincial team (Team BC). This will be my last eligible year to play in a National Championship, making it all the more memorable. Up until this year, it was previously held in the U-14/U-16 age groups. In U-14 (2009), the event was held in Quebec where we finished with a silver medal. The next year, I played with the 94 born players (U-16) and we placed fourth in Newfoundland. This year, I'm back with my own age group and just yesterday we returned home from our final prep project down in Seattle before we leave for Ontario on Saturday.
It's a really exciting time, and we're all really looking forward to it. At this point, I'm just trying to focus on the things I can control, like how I'm spending my time off the field and how I'm taking care of my body. I think we have to have faith that the efforts we've put in up until this point will produce quality team performances. All we can do is be our best. As a team we've come together, we've kept together, and now it's time for us to work together.
"Now it's time for us to work together"
Here I am again, two weeks into July, heading to my third National Championship in as many years. Without going into the tournament format or setup too much, it's more technically known as the Nutrilite All Stars, and it gathers U-15/U-16 Provincial Teams from across Canada. To put it into perspective, it's like saying each state in the U.S. puts together a team and plays it out for the national crown.
I play for the U-16 British Columbia Provincial team (Team BC). This will be my last eligible year to play in a National Championship, making it all the more memorable. Up until this year, it was previously held in the U-14/U-16 age groups. In U-14 (2009), the event was held in Quebec where we finished with a silver medal. The next year, I played with the 94 born players (U-16) and we placed fourth in Newfoundland. This year, I'm back with my own age group and just yesterday we returned home from our final prep project down in Seattle before we leave for Ontario on Saturday.
It's a really exciting time, and we're all really looking forward to it. At this point, I'm just trying to focus on the things I can control, like how I'm spending my time off the field and how I'm taking care of my body. I think we have to have faith that the efforts we've put in up until this point will produce quality team performances. All we can do is be our best. As a team we've come together, we've kept together, and now it's time for us to work together.
June 27, 2011
Jasmine Mander: The Beginning of My Adventure
I'm both excited, and honoured to be one of the first Youth Bloggers for Our Game Magazine. I've never written about anything beyond what my English teacher has assigned, so to say blogging is new to me would be an understatement. I'm thinking that introducing myself at this point would be fitting. My name is Jasmine Mander. I'm 16 years old, and I attend Seaquam Secondary School in Delta, British Columbia. I was introduced to the game by my Dad and began playing on an organized team environment at the age of 4. Around this time, I'd also try tagging along with my older brothers team by waiting for his coach to invite me into the scrimmages. He always did. Watching or playing soccer, it just made me smile.
Now, I'm playing with the BC Soccer Provincial team before returning to my club team (U18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC) this coming September. I also had a brief experience with the U15 Canadian National Team last August, when I attended camp along with three other BC-born players. I'm hoping I can take you into the life of a young, aspiring female soccer player. I love this game unconditionally. It's already been the source of some unbelievable on-field memories and off-field laughs. It's taken me coast to coast, from California to North Carolina, from BC to Newfoundland, and a couple places in between. And I'd like to think this is just the start.
So, if you're reading this, I think you're beginning to follow me in my youth soccer endeavours at a good time. Although I try to take things one training session at a time, I'm
conscious that there are going to be championships to win, commitment papers to sign, starting spots to earn, maybe some cuts, maybe some call-ups, I don’t know. I realize that the next 12 months have the potential to be a roller coaster for me. I know there are going to be ups and downs, but I faith that my family, friends and teammates will make sure I don’t fall off the ride.
Jasmine Mander: The Beginning of My Adventure
I'm both excited, and honoured to be one of the first Youth Bloggers for Our Game Magazine. I've never written about anything beyond what my English teacher has assigned, so to say blogging is new to me would be an understatement. I'm thinking that introducing myself at this point would be fitting. My name is Jasmine Mander. I'm 16 years old, and I attend Seaquam Secondary School in Delta, British Columbia. I was introduced to the game by my Dad and began playing on an organized team environment at the age of 4. Around this time, I'd also try tagging along with my older brothers team by waiting for his coach to invite me into the scrimmages. He always did. Watching or playing soccer, it just made me smile.
Now, I'm playing with the BC Soccer Provincial team before returning to my club team (U18 Vancouver Whitecaps FC) this coming September. I also had a brief experience with the U15 Canadian National Team last August, when I attended camp along with three other BC-born players. I'm hoping I can take you into the life of a young, aspiring female soccer player. I love this game unconditionally. It's already been the source of some unbelievable on-field memories and off-field laughs. It's taken me coast to coast, from California to North Carolina, from BC to Newfoundland, and a couple places in between. And I'd like to think this is just the start.
So, if you're reading this, I think you're beginning to follow me in my youth soccer endeavours at a good time. Although I try to take things one training session at a time, I'm
conscious that there are going to be championships to win, commitment papers to sign, starting spots to earn, maybe some cuts, maybe some call-ups, I don’t know. I realize that the next 12 months have the potential to be a roller coaster for me. I know there are going to be ups and downs, but I faith that my family, friends and teammates will make sure I don’t fall off the ride.
