Watching from the sideline

As a parent, watching your child participate in sports comes with a whirlwind of emotions, from exhilaration to anxiety, pride to nerves. Each game, match, or competition is a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. The sheer joy of witnessing your child engage in something they love is enough to make your heart swell with pride.

This past week I had the immense pleasure and pride of watching my daughter represent Eastern Gauteng U12B in the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPTs) for indoor/action netball. I am no stranger to competitions, but this was truly the most exhilarating and exhausting thing I participated in.

The emotions that came with every pass, whistle, goal, and quarter were almost unbearable. It was 40 minutes of heart racing, breath holding intensity. As a parent, you want nothing more than to see your child succeed. With each passing minute the stress mounts, threatening to consume you, and just when you think you cannot take anymore – the whistle blows, the game is over and tomorrow you get to come back and do it all over again.

However, in the chaos and anxiety that comes with competitions like these, there are overwhelming moments of pure pride. Whether it’s a perfectly executed play, or simply the determination and perseverance displayed by your child, the pride you feel in your child’s accomplishments surpass any anxiety or stress you feel on game day.

Being a parent is not easy. Over the months leading up to this tournament, I watched my daughter grow in both her physical and her emotional strength. I saw more determination and strength in her than I had ever seen before. She came on to court every day with a smile on her face, and no matter the outcome, she was ready to do it all again the next day.

As I watched her grow through the duration of this tournament, I realised, the love and support you show your child remains unwavering, and ultimately, shapes how they approach what life throws at them, both on and off the court.