Summer of 2013 was the beginning of the end for me. It trickled into the entire year of 2014 which was a horrible horrible horrible year. In 2013, I requested to officiate the nationals but there were enough referees and I wasn't needed. Okay, that's fine. I often wonder if things would have been different if I did. I don't know. But 2014 was so horrible for me that I really didn't want to go to the nationals that year. But God bless spirit.
I have a student who is VERY committed who chose to compete and it was enough for me to go because he worked so hard that year to make it to nationals, it was an experience he has earned, and whether it is one person or ten people, I'll be there for anyone who is that committed. But quite honestly, I wasn't up for going. I really didn't want to. I almost didn't. But I put in the request to officiate this year and this year I was accepted to work. SO it would be my first time working a national level tournament.
Well I can't imagine what life would be like if I did not go to the nationals that year. I met a tremendous amount of wonderful people and friends, some who I even consider family, that I could not imagine the year to follow without their presence in it. SO for 2015, I was very excited to go back. And I had a helluva a year officiating for the AAU and other independent tournaments. This year I was also looking to become a Clinical Administrator for New Jersey and to go for my upgrade. I also had students competing and was very excited for them and having them part of the nationals again this year.
The nationals is the only time when we ALL can be together at the same time. Everyone from Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, New York, Florida, North Carolina, Montana, and we all work together and get along together beautifully. Not only are they wonderful people, but they are truly fantastic martial artists as well. I don't just talk about refereeing and tournament stuff, but we also talk about our training and teaching methods, things we do from where we come from, concepts, philosophies, students we teach, etc.
But we all also just genuinely enjoy each other's company. They are a fabulous support group and everyone is as professional on the floor as they are fantastic martial artists. But I think the comradery everyone has with each other is also a great attribute to the success of the AAU events. The officials are consistent and professional, work very hard, helps each other out and has each other's back, and having a lot of fun as well. This is what makes the events go so well in my opinion.
I was very proud of both my students who competed, they worked so hard and represented so well. William Stiehl is my only student who has gone to the nationals every year we have gone since 2012. Nicole Vidal had a helluva good first year, being the only white belt I have ever had on the competition team, got 1st or gold in just about every competition she went to in her first year, belt tested up to her green belt, worked with 7th Degree Black Belts, and exactly one year since she began training made it to a national tournament. I was so proud of them!
My mother happened to be in Florida with my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin and one night we all go together for a team dinner. It was very nice to celebrate all together, including with one of my mentors Dr. Stiehl. Nicole had tested for low green belt before nationals and I awarded her belt at the team dinner we had also that night. It was really great together.
One of my highlights at nationals was working for the first time the Special Needs Division. To me, it was awe-inspiring. I was so motivated and inspired to be a part of this program and want so much to develop it further in New Jersey (future blog). I saw what it did for these kids and young adults and the spirit it developed in them, the wonderful character they bring to the mats, it is something that needs to grow and people need to take part in.
At the end of the week, the officials get together on a dinner cruise after a long week of working. My mother came as my plus one and she got to meet a lot of these wonderful people. I know many of them roll their eyes because they do this every year for so many years, but to me it is such a treat. I wouldn't care if it was every year (I mean that's exactly it-- once a YEAR) but to be altogether like that just being, it's a gift I do not take for granted.
I am blessed to be a part of this other world and have the support system just about anywhere I go in this country. I often think, imagine if I never went that one year to nationals? How life would be so different....Time...gives you just what you need when you need it I guess. This year has been so fabulous, I can only imagine how next year will be. After all, it'll be one week before my 5th Degree Black Belt test....
(BOWS)
Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO
No comments:
Post a Comment