Monday, March 30, 2009

Bring on the end of the season

Well, we managed to balls up our last National League volleyball games of the season yesterday, ending on a proper downer - losing 3-1 to Dulwich and 3-0 to Northampton. Yes, we won more matches than last season and yes, we finished higher up the table. But it was still a pants way to finish, particularly as they were home games.

As is always the way, I think Leicester will be glad to see the close of the 2008/2009 season. It's not 'cos we don't want to play anymore but come April everyone feels due a break and a chance to enjoy the lighter nights without a sporting commitment or two each week.

I for one am tired of volleyball now and looking forward to the summer break. I'm on a particular downer because we've lost a  few regional games as well this season - we won the Northampton league last year - so won't retain our title. We also won the end of season tournament but this year I don't have enough players available to even field a team.

Being fixture secretary of this league has bled me of any enthusiasm I had for the league - it's like pulling teeth - and I've struggled to get the full swell of players I'm used to, so we've compromised on quality.

Not sure we'll enter a regional team at all next year - as with all sports clubs, money is an issue, and with a shortage of players it's going to be tougher than usual to organise a team. I don't want to be fixture secretary next year either and I can't see anyone jumping in to fill the vacancy. It's a job without perks.

I'm also stepping down as social secretary too. It's hard to organise socials when I live 40 miles away from Leicester and it's just not a job I enjoy anymore. I recently made a list of my weekly commitments and I'm keen to cut down on those things I no longer enjoy.

That means no more sports organisation roles, just playing, and no more studying,  more time spent writing my book.

That said, we still have three more regional games to play before the season's out so maybe we can aim to win all three? Hmmm, I still only have five available for Sunday's game and I need six. At this rate I'll have to ask my coach to shave his legs and squeeze into some hotpants.