Celebrating Girls and Women in Sport: A letter to my younger self

National Girls and Women in Sports Day: A letter to my younger self. 

Dear Avery, 

As I sit down to write this letter I feel filled with emotion. So proud, so excited for you, and so grateful. You have been given an opportunity to become a part of a huge community and to achieve more than you have ever imagined. I have a few pieces of advice for you as you grow up into a strong, competitive volleyball player and woman! 

Never stop celebrating your victories and being your own biggest cheerleader. Your confidence and belief in your own abilities is going to provide you with so many opportunities. 

Continue being a competitor. Your drive and expectation to always be the best is going to propel you to the highest level and create a following of other women behind you. Some may see it as overbearing, but your determination will earn you the respect of many. 

You are strong. Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Each is put in place to test your resilience, and will make you proud of each bump in the road you were able to overcome. 

Work to be someone that your teammates remember. Being a leader and a reliable teammate will translate into every other aspect of your life. Playing volleyball will help you build a legacy for yourself, and become a leader that individuals remember for being a good teammate, and a great person above all else.

Lastly, continue to be the hardest worker in the room. You may not be the biggest, or most skilled, but being the girl who never gives up and fights for each and every point will open doors. The accolades and championships will not be what you remember, but your competitive spirit will continue to carry on into networking, job opportunities, and personal growth. 

Avery, you are a competitor, a teammate, a friend. Do not lose sight of the importance of your love for the game. Celebrate your victories, and take each day as an opportunity to work harder than those around you. Provide and lean on your teammates for support whenever you can, they are truly your family.

Sincerenly,

Avery