by Ellyse Perry
Ellyse made sure to keep drinking water and sat in the shade when she wasn’t playing. No fainting today! Finally, at 4 pm, Mike blew his whistle and called them all together, including the parents.
‘Good work today, everyone.’ He held up a piece of paper. ‘We’ll have another full day next Sunday and then training will continue twice a week for eight weeks. Based on your performance, fifteen of you will be chosen to play in a special invitation game, and there’ll also be trial games later on for a state representative squad.’ Loud chatter broke out among the players, prompting Mike to blow his whistle. ‘I don’t want anyone getting in a panic. Or parents making a fuss. It’s just one more opportunity. See you all next Sunday.’
Ellyse’s head was whirling as she gathered up her stuff. She turned to find Hu waiting, her face tired but smiling. ‘That was hard work,’ said Hu. ‘How did you go?’
Ellyse shrugged. ‘Good, I think. What about you?’
‘Yeah …’ Hu made a face. ‘What are you going to do about the change in training days?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Hu’s got a point, I’m afraid,’ Dad said, coming up behind them. ‘Originally, the weekday training here was Thursday. They’ve changed it to Wednesdays.’
Ellyse looked at him in horror. ‘But that’s my day for Callinan cricket. I can’t be in two places at once!’
‘No, that’s right,’ Dad said. ‘You’ll have to choose.’
This is so not fair! Stupid adults. They always wreck everything! She felt like throwing a total hissy fit. Instead, she trudged to the car with Mum and Dad, and slumped in the back seat all the way home. Thankfully, her parents didn’t make her talk about it or come to a decision. She forced down some dinner and went to bed early, where she lay watching the moon rise over the trees. How am I supposed to choose? I wish every week had two Wednesdays.
But that was about as likely as her flying to the moon.
Ellyse was so glum at school the next day that it was impossible for her friends not to notice.
‘Er, did someone in your family get sick or die?’ Jazz said eventually.
Ellyse shook her head and apologised for being such a drag. She explained her dilemma, but she could tell Jazz and Charlie didn’t really understand.
‘The Aztecs have a W-league team,’ Charlie said. ‘I suppose that’s better than just playing for Callinan.’
‘But Maddy coaches Callinan and she’s a NSW selector for girls’ cricket,’ Ellyse said.
‘You want to be in the state team for both sports?’ Jazz said, raising her eyebrows. ‘Most people would be happy with one.’
Is Jazz implying I’ve got a big head? Ellyse opened her mouth to reply, but she couldn’t think what to say. Hey, it’s not like I’m showing off or anything.
‘I thought you were going to play for Callinan with me,’ Charlie grumbled.
‘Well, I am … I’ll have to miss some games, I guess.’ Ellyse tried to shrug like it was no big deal. Bob had been pretty understanding, but Maddy wouldn’t be, she just knew it. Maddy always talked about having a hundred-and-ten-per-cent commitment.
Ellyse worried about it all day and, that evening, when her dad asked her if she’d made a decision, she snapped. ‘I will! Soon. I wish people would stop hassling me.’
That was the kind of thing Dad normally would growl at her for, but this time he left her alone.
I wish he wouldn’t, she thought. Maybe talking about it will help. Although, right then, she couldn’t see how anything would help. In the next week she’d have to make a decision and she had no idea how she was going to do that. It was almost easier to just not think about it!
At cricket training the next day, she was so quiet that Maddy asked if she was okay. ‘You have quite a bruise on your arm. You can sit this training out, if you want,’ she offered.
‘No, I’m good.’ Ellyse forced a smile. With the turmoil going on in her head, she’d hardly given her fainting at Saturday’s game another thought. She went into the nets to practise her batting and tried to pretend it was a normal training session. I know I’m being a chicken, but I just can’t talk to Maddy yet. I have to decide first. Having the person she admired so much frown at her and question her commitment was more than she could bear.
Ellyse was just as quiet at Hoppers training that night. She let Jamie do most of the captaining, and in their team talk with Bob, she simply nodded and agreed. Bob gave her a strange look once or twice, but he didn’t say anything.
‘Finally,’ Bob said, ‘a reminder that this Saturday is our fundraiser. We’ve got lots of parents rostered on for the sausage sizzle.’ He held up Ellyse’s poster. ‘We’ve put these in a few places. Ellyse, have you got more copies?’
‘I can print some,’ she said. ‘I’ll stick them up at the library and the shopping centre.’
‘Send me the file,’ Bob said. ‘I’ll pass it on to a few people I know at local schools.’ He patted her on the shoulder. ‘Thanks for doing this, kiddo. It’s a big help.’
But Ellyse didn’t feel like she was helping anyone at all.
Wednesday afternoon was Callinan’s first match of the season, and Ellyse’s team had been moved up a grade. The Second XI would now be playing in their old competition of friendlies.
Maddy’s face was serious as she addressed the First XI. ‘You’re a much better team this season,’ she said, ‘so I want to see one hundred and ten per cent from you out there. But more importantly, I want you to keep playing as a team, encouraging and supporting each other. That’s what wins games, not individual stars.’
Or people running off to play soccer instead? Ellyse’s stomach felt like it was being squeezed by a big clawed hand.
Nicola won the toss and elected to bat. Ellyse, having been put at number six, sat on the boundary and watched. She’d wanted to see Charlie play her first game for Callinan but they had an away match at another school. As it was a limited-overs game, Ellyse didn’t get to bat. She bowled four overs, trying her hardest to stay on line, and took one wicket LBW. Even the umpire gave her a nod of acknowledgement. Her team slapped her on the back, saying, ‘Go, Pez!’ It made her feel like she’d bowled a hat-trick. Even Dad had a big grin on his face and clapped loudly. Callinan ended up winning by two runs – a close game!
‘That was a good wicket, Pez,’ said Maddy. ‘I thought that batter would be in for their whole innings. You helped us win the game.’
‘Thanks.’ Ellyse felt a warm glow of pride, then hesitated. ‘I wonder how Charlie and the Second XI went.’
‘I had a call from one of the parents. It turns out they won by two wickets,’ Maddy said, chuffed. ‘They might be mostly beginners, but it’s great to see how keen they are.’
‘We’re having a girls’ recruitment day at my club this Saturday,’ Ellyse said. ‘I hope we get lots interested.’
‘I hope so too,’ Maddy said. ‘It’s great that so many are starting to play.’
‘Yep.’ Ellyse watched Maddy walk away to talk to the other girls. Chicken, chicken, chicken. When are you going to tell her? She sighed and gathered up her gear.
Dad was waiting at the car. ‘That was well bowled, little one. Or should I call you Pez now that everyone’s doing it?’ He chuckled. ‘Better than Shrimp?’
‘Much!’ Ellyse got into the car and put on her seatbelt. I’ll tell Maddy at the next training session. I’ll be a chicken a little bit longer.
The next day, it was raining and Jazz was in rehearsals for Cats again, so Ellyse and Charlie ate their lunch together and then went to the new gym. The trainer, Daniel, talked to them about having a program and showed them how to use the weights and cardio machines.
‘You’re training for strength and endurance,’ he said, ‘so you won’t be using heavy weights. You’re not aiming for super pecs here!’
He watched them as they used each machine and then left them to do the last part on the spin bikes. For a few minutes, they pedalled hard and then slowed down.
‘My legs are burning,’ Charlie complained.
‘Mine too.’ Ellyse eased off a little. ‘Hey, are you coming to the sausage sizzle on Saturday?’
Charlie grinned. ‘You’re still trying to get me to join the Hoppers, aren’t you?’
‘Totally.’ Ellyse grabbed her towel and wiped her face. ‘I’m the only girl, and we’ve only got one spin bowler. So you’d be a double-bonus player.’
‘Really?’ Charlie pedalled super-fast for two minutes and groaned. ‘I think my legs are about to fall off.’ She leaned over the handlebars. ‘All right, I’ll come, but you have to buy me at least two sausages – with extra mustard.’
‘It’s a deal,’ Ellyse said. ‘Come on, I need a shower before class. I’ve got debating next and I don’t want Mia telling me I pong.’
‘Did you decide yet?’ Hu asked as Ellyse sat down.
‘Decide what?’ Mia asked.
Ellyse made a face at Hu. ‘Nothing important.’ The last thing she wanted was Mia thinking she was showing off. Ms Wheatley started the class with an announcement.
‘The topic for the debate with the Year Nines is: It should be compulsory for all students to play a sport for the school. Let’s start with the current policy.’
Ellyse sat up in her seat as Ms Wheatley wrote on the board.
This is a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want to play for the school? There are so many sports to choose from.
But as the discussion started, she found that nearly everyone in the room disagreed. As fast as the comments came, Ms Wheatley wrote them up.
I’M NO GOOD AT SPORT, SO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO IT?
I HATE RUNNING AND I HATE GETTING HOT AND SWEATY.
IN SUMMER IT’S TOO HOT.
EVERYONE WILL LAUGH AT ME BECAUSE I’M HOPELESS AT SPORT.
I HATE ALL SPORTS. I WON’T EVEN WATCH THEM ON TV, SO I SHOULDN’T HAVE TO PLAY IF I DON’T WANT TO.
COMPETITION SPORTS ARE FOR BOYS.
‘They are not!’ Ellyse burst out.
Ms Wheatley turned around. ‘I’m glad to hear from you, Ellyse. Let’s have the other side of the argument.’
‘Anyone can play anything if they put their mind to it,’ Ellyse said. ‘You just have to give it a go.’
‘Just because you’re a sports maniac and win everything,’ one girl said nastily.
‘It’s not about me,’ Ellyse replied, her face growing hot. ‘I love playing sport because it’s fun and I like being part of a team. You’re all in it together and you have a really good time.’
‘I heard you play soccer with boys,’ another girl said. ‘And you got hurt.’
‘Well, yes,’ Ellyse said. ‘Hu plays too and … and …’
Hu took her cue and jumped in. ‘I play at home with my brothers, but playing in the Callinan team is heaps better. We all help each other. It’s not about being competitive or mean or super-fit. We play because it’s fun, like Ellyse said.’
Ellyse looked around the room. A lot of the girls still seemed unconvinced.
‘I hate school athletics days the most,’ said one girl, earning a chorus of yeses. ‘I can’t run, and once I fell over. It was horrible.’
Ellyse thought for a few moments. ‘How many of you played sport in primary school?’ she asked, and almost everyone raised their hands. ‘Did you have fun then?’ There were nods of agreement. ‘So what’s changed?’
‘Good question,’ Ms Wheatley said. ‘Is anyone brave enough to answer that?’
Brave enough? Ellyse thought. What are they scared of?
A girl in the corner raised her hand, her face pink with embarrassment. ‘Things have changed. I’ve changed. My body has changed. Half the time it doesn’t even seem like mine anymore. And I feel like everyone laughs at me.’ More nods.
‘Thanks, Ruby,’ Ms Wheatley said. ‘Anyone else?’
Mia raised her hand slowly. ‘It’s the competing thing too. If you play school sport, you’re supposed to play to win. Coaches yell at you. That horrible PE teacher we had was really mean.’
‘She sure was,’ someone agreed. ‘I’m glad we have Ms Beattie now.’
Mia went on. ‘I just don’t like exercise. Maybe I’m not built to play sport. Maybe I’m built to play the piano and read lots of books. So I shouldn’t have to play sport if I don’t want to.’
Ellyse listened to her classmates in amazement. Is this really how they feel? I can’t imagine not wanting to play sport, but … they all feel the same way.
Ms Wheatley waved at Ellyse and Hu. ‘Okay, you two. You’re the other side here. What are some answers you can give them?’ She stood with her marker, ready to write down their ideas.
‘Playing in a team is fun,’ Hu said, ‘and you learn how to help each other. And cheer for each other. Does anyone cheer for you anywhere else?’
‘Mum and Dad do,’ a girl said.
‘When you’re in a team you have your own cheer squad,’ Hu said.
‘When you play sport,’ Ellyse said, ‘you exercise without realising it. Getting fit is easier because you do a little bit at a time, with everyone else. It makes you feel good!’
‘There are always people to help you,’ Hu added. ‘You’re not meant to train like you’re going for the Olympics – that’s silly. But the more you give it a go, the better you get.’
‘There are lots of sports to choose from,’ Ellyse said. ‘Karate, tennis, skiing, golf, swimming, cycling, rowing –’
‘You can even windsurf or play ultimate frisbee,’ Hu said.
‘I tried windsurfing on holiday last Christmas,’ Mia said, brightening up. ‘That was fun.’
‘Not all of those are school sports,’ Ms Wheatley said, ‘but they’re certainly sports you can enjoy, and get some exercise at the same time.’
Ruby crossed her arms. ‘But why should it be compulsory? Why should we have to play? Surely the school can’t make us.’
‘Good point,’ Ms Wheatley said. ‘Let’s discuss the idea of enforcement and what it means.’
I guess I’m lucky that I love to play sports, Ellyse thought. And maybe I’m really lucky that I’m good at sports too. She remembered her growing pains a couple of months ago and Ms Parkes, the awful PE teacher. If she’d felt like an idiot with Ms Parkes, imagine how someone like Mia had felt!
Ellyse wasn’t sure she and Hu had convinced any of the girls in their class. Maybe if she could come up with some way to persuade girls to give cricket a go at the Hoppers’ barbecue this Sunday, she’d have a better answer for Ms Wheatley’s debate team!
Ellyse thought the first person she should ask about encouraging girls to play was Ms Beattie. After all, the PE teacher had got enough girls to play cricket for Callinan to make a whole second team.
‘Hmm, yes, it’s a question that’s often raised in staff meetings too, you know,’ said Ms Beattie. ‘I like the carrot approach better than the stick.’
‘Huh?’ Ellyse said, puzzled.
Ms Beattie grinned. ‘Better to persuade the donkey with a carrot than beat it with a stick.’
‘So what carrot did you use for our cricket teams?’
‘I promised it would be fun. But I also promised that learning the basics would be easy and no one would feel left out or stupid.’
‘You put all that on a poster?’ Ellyse asked.
‘Ha! No,’ said Ms Beattie. ‘I did a lot of talking to the girls in PE. And then I had to back it up by doing what I’d promised.’
Ellyse was finally starting to feel more inspired about what she could do on Saturday. ‘So maybe I could show the girls how to play. I bet Dad would help me.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ Ms Beattie said with a chuckle. ‘Good luck!’
As soon as she got home that afternoon, Ellyse told Dad what Ms Beattie had said and then explained her plan. ‘I’m going to ask Charlie to help too.’
‘That all sounds great,’ Dad said. ‘Don’t forget you have Aztecs on Sunday – do you want to do some training at the park?’
>
‘Yes, please. I need some food first, though.’ Ellyse was still hungry a lot, and she’d even grown another centimetre. She grabbed a bag of nuts and an apple and munched on them while she collected her soccer gear. As she worked on tackling and step overs, she kept thinking about the girls in her class. Some of them would hate doing this, but look at how Ms Beattie got our Callinan team going. Still, if I felt like a total klutz and tripped over my own feet, maybe I wouldn’t like it either.
It was nearly dark by the time they headed back to the house.
‘You’re deep in thought, little one,’ Dad said. ‘Want to share?’
‘Just wondering what else I can do on Saturday,’ she replied. ‘Maybe I can make a poster that shows the basic drills?’
‘Sure,’ Dad said. ‘I was hoping you were going to tell me you’d made a decision about the Aztecs or cricket, or that you’d spoken to Maddy.’
In an instant, Ellyse’s eagerness about the recruiting day disappeared into a black hole. Why did Dad have to bring that up? She scowled and hugged her soccer ball so tightly that it hurt her ribs. ‘I’m still thinking about it.’
‘The sooner you decide, the better,’ Dad said. ‘It’s making you very grouchy.’
‘I will,’ she snapped, then realised what she sounded like. Grouchy! ‘Sorry, Dad.’
‘If you want to talk …’
‘Yeah, I know.’ This time more talking wasn’t going to help. It was an impossible choice between losing her place in the Aztecs program and giving up seven weeks of Callinan cricket matches with the First XI – the two things she would once have given anything in the world to have. Whichever one she said no to would mean losing that opportunity to go on to maybe become a state-level player.
