Rhian Wilkinson's Official Website

RHIAN'S SOCCER JOURNALS:

BLOGS, BOMBS AND THE NASH BROTHERS 15th February 2008

I am sorry for the long wait for another journal. I get lazy about writing while back in Canada and in the routine of training. There does not seem to be much to write about really … We are still training, practicing and playing, and it is still raining in Vancouver.

For the first week back at camp, we trained almost exclusively indoors at the TSS bubble in Richmond. We have now moved back out to the University of British Columbia. Even though the training sessions on wet, heavy grounds are not fantastic, it is good to play on grass again. It is the best gift our sore legs can be given. However, when the grass turns into mud, then I may have to revise my assessment. The soccer turns into something resembling a sandy beach workout and our leg muscles burn.

Outside of soccer, I have been keeping busy by hanging out with my sister and her boyfriend, recently arrived in the city. I am the third wheel in their relationship, if you will. I am not sure how they feel about my constant presence on their dates, but it turns out I don’t care all that much. I am probably exaggerating a little, but I can almost guarantee that my sarcasm must become frustrating for them at times!!

Mind you, we keep pretty busy when we are together. I have attached some photographs of the three of us doing some indoor rock-climbing. Just in case you have trouble picking me out, I am the one who looks very uncomfortable and out of place, clinging to the wall for dear life. Maybe they are trying to get rid of me?

Our other exciting news that you should know about, has been reported on the National news this week. The Starbucks across the street from us blew up. The police and fire department have still not decided if the cause was a gas leak or a bomb, but… it was pretty scary right? I was woken up at 2:30 in the morning by the blast and huge explosion, and our whole building shook. I remember sitting up in bed and for a few minutes being really scared. But, then I felt tired again and just rolled over and went back to sleep!!!!!! NEVER count on me in an emergency.

At least I woke up though. There were a few girls on the team who slept right through the blast and explosion, which was literally just across the street, and the subsequent sirens, noise and loudspeakers. Some people did wake up and go to see the cause of all the turmoil. For example, Chappy and Sincy actually climbed out of bed and went out to check what was happening. I'm not sure that they are any smarter than those who slept through it, or chose to ignore it. A bomb may have gone off, and these innocents went to see what had happened. The incident was scary any way you look at it.

I should also mention that we played a game on the North Shore the other day, and playing on the other team was Martin Nash, of Men’s National Team fame. He was quite the formidable opponent and seemed to recover quickly from the frequent elbows thrown his way - I joke; I joke. I thought it was important to mention his presence there, as he, and his family, do a great deal to help in the promotion of Women’s soccer. And, I think it is important to mention publicly how much we appreciate all they do. I am sure Martin is a busy guy who could have thought of better things to do with his time than spend his Tuesday afternoon running round a soccer pitch, and playing against us, However, I think his participation is great and I am even more of a fan of his now, than I already was. I didn’t think that was possible.

Even though I am sure that Martin hears his brother’s name mentioned often enough in the same sentence as his own, I do think that the fact that Steve has just invested significant funds in the new Women’s Professional League should be brought up. Obviously, these guys have been brought up in a household that respects and expects women’s involvement in athletics and sports. Their sister’s prowess on the soccer field is a testament to this, and they have continued to respect women in sports into adulthood. I look forward to seeing their daughters representing their country soon.