Keeping the Dream Alive - part 2

This year, a lot of plans have been upended and lives have been put on hold. For some of Ivanhoe Girls’ keenest athletes, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their lives in ways unimaginable a year ago.

Paige Year 11

What were your plans for 2020?

For me, 2020 was going to be very exciting - we would find out if Australia would get the bid for the Women’s World Cup. It’s so exciting that we’ve got it, and definitely something that girls around Australia are looking towards.

Paige has played for the Matildas and Melbourne Victory

Earlier in the year, before COVID-19, I went to Brisbane with Melbourne Victory. That was a friendly match against China’s National Team. It was a really cool experience playing with all the older players, which I cherished.

So this year I was expecting to be training for soccer, and potentially going interstate for Training Camps or the National Championships. I don’t really get much notice when I’m going overseas. You just have to be ready at all times. You never know when the email will be coming. It’s a bit difficult, but it’s just keeping fit at all times.

What’s been the most challenging thing you’ve had to deal with?

I think that motivation might be the biggest challenge for everybody, especially in this situation. It’s kind of a barrier, mentally, because there’s nothing you're working towards. It's definitely challenging to keep motivated.

At the moment I’m training on my own, doing lots of fitness, running, keeping myself motivated. It was a challenge at the start, but I found that I’ve been getting better and I feel more happy with myself. It’s about thinking about what you are doing this for, and what your passion is. Your drive. It’s also good that I’m so close with some girls that I play soccer with, we call often and talk about how everything is going and do virtual gym sessions together. We all help each other, which is so nice.

How have you adapted your training schedule?

My family have been really keen on exercising together, so we find time during the day to do lots of running in the morning and some gym after school. We’ve got some bits of gym equipment at home which is very handy. We all use it, which is great. It’s really fun when you've got the whole family involved as well, you don’t feel so isolated on your own.

My coaches have been great and they’ve sent me lots of programs to do. Every Saturday we’ll have a meeting, and sometimes we’ll get some guest speakers to do some mindfulness or meditation with us. I’m so lucky for that - because it's so good just to relax, especially with everything going on. They are very mindful of our mental wellbeing, which is very important.

What have you learnt most about yourself?

I’m a bit more individual than I thought. When you are in such a team environment, you get approached as a team, so being on your own, having to do things for yourself and do things that best suit you.

I found that I’ve grown a bit stronger and I’ve found strength within myself. Drive and resilience

I think about my goals. I used to play soccer with my grandpa. Sometimes I find myself playing for him.

Penny Year 8

What were your plans for 2020?

I’ve moved up a new level in Gymnastics and Aerobics. For Aerobics, we had learnt our routine and were ready to compete in the first competition of the year. I got into the State Development Squad for Aerobics and I was excited to train with them. I’ve been a bit disappointed because I haven't been able to compete and I love competing. I’m a bit of a competitive person.

Penny was planning to train with the State Development Squad in 2020

How have you adapted your training?

Honestly, I quite like being at home. It’s giving me a chance to do things like practise my flexibility and build on basics. For gymnastics, I do have gym equipment in the backyard, but, you just can't really learn new stuff because it’s a bit risky.

My team meet up on Zoom and we go from there. Some days we learn new skills. Last night we did a new dance routine in Aerobics. For gymnastics we usually just do strength or skills.

What have you learnt about yourself?

I’m a pretty positive person. When I keep in the mindset I can keep my motivation up.

I think I’ve always been self driven but it's become more useful over isolation. I want to stay fit, and I want to stay at the top of my game for gymnastics and aerobics, so it's not that hard to go out and train.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and being back in a routine where I know I’ll get better every time I go to the gym. I’m looking forward to learning how to do a backwards twist on the floor in gymnastics.