Over the past year, I’ve learned to work with teenage girls as a coach. I’ll admit that at first, every time someone called me “Coach Linda,” I was surprised. It was a first for me!
Throughout the season, I witnessed their determination to perform, improve, and achieve their goals. Of course, since cheerleading is a sport of ups and downs, we also experienced some minor setbacks, but these only made us stronger and more united. The resilience with which these girls bounce back is truly inspiring.
During my time with them, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of hard work and unparalleled perseverance. You know, they say kids grow up too fast! I often say that when talking about my 2-year-old. Well, it’s just as true for 12- to 18-year-olds. Watching them grow as athletes and as a team is impressive enough, but seeing them grow as people is even more so. Over the past few months, I’ve watched shy young girls slowly begin to assert themselves and find their place—the joy of an athlete getting her driver’s license, her initial fears about driving, the excitement leading up to the prom, and so much more.
Supporting these young people through the challenges of sports and their personal lives is a demanding task, but such a rewarding one! The feeling of making a difference in the lives of young teenage girls on a daily basis is indescribable.
And now the end of the season is fast approaching, and I’m already feeling nostalgic. I don’t know where I’ll be next year. Will I have the chance to coach these athletes again—the ones I’ve gotten to know and who have taught me so much—or will I have the chance to relive the experience with other athletes? Both options are good, but one thing is certain: this first team has given me so much, and I’ll miss them tremendously.