Dear Ben,
This is you playing basketball for the Meon A team last week. You've been doing basketball with the school since September and I have been delighted that you'd chosen another sport alongside football, which, to be honest, gets so competitive at times. After months of anticiation, the tournaments arrived. There was pressure (Meon Year 6 last year won the Portsmouth Games and the Hampshire Games!) so you were slightly worried that you would't do well. "What if Mr Murphy told me off for missing an easy basket?" you asked me. I gave the usual, "just try your best" response. "How will he know I've played my best?" Believe me, Ben, it's obvious when you're not putting in the effort.
Anyway it was all academic. Erin's mum, your dad and I watched along with the other parents. You were a rebounder (goal defence to netballers) so your job was to track back (good football training there) and mark only the basket. You scored three baskets and your team trounced their opponents in both matches. Go Meon!
But the best thing for me, it was seeing you smile. You were radiant, looking every inch a basketball player in your cool school kit, beaming from ear to ear. The difference to watching you play football was very apparent. This was a game in which you all played to a similar ability, you played as a team and the winning was not the issue, but the confidence it gave you. Heads up, shouting for each other, basket after basket.
We were all very proud parents. Roll on the last match and hopefully the Portsmouth and Hampshire Games!
Good luck to you all.
-Love Mum x