A Second Chance

Chapter 2 - Everything is Changing

———— 2 Years Later ————

"Well done guys keep it up" I call out to my class of year 5 children who are currently going round circuits in pairs.
For the past year and a half you have been working as a children's sports coach, coming into schools around London to deliver sports lessons. This meant moving into London, north London to be exact.

"Miss Wilson" i hear as the door close behind me, I turn and see the headteacher of the school I am currently working at making her way towards me.

"Mrs Hart, how can I help you" I smile warmly at her, I was always good at sucking up to the head teachers. She smiles back at me before motioning for me to follow her.

We go into a quieter corner of the room as she begins to speak "I want you to hear me out so do not interrupt me. It's no secret around here about your football career and a lot of the older KS2 students have been discussing it between themselves. We have seen a massive increase of year 5 and 6 girls wanting to join in playing football with the boys. I am here to present you with an idea. This years end of term grant I am willing to gift you to set up a summer holidays football camp for girls here at the school. You can have access to the astro pitch every Friday afternoon, and we can provide everything you need".

You look at her in shock whilst trying to take it all in.
"Umm... I...Um... Wow" you stutter out.

Mrs Hart gently laughs at you before she begins again "I know it's a lot to take in, and usually we would have a formal meeting about things like this but I know it's your last session here with us. Have a think about it and come find me later, we can have a proper talk if it's something you are interested in".

You offer her a smile as she begins to walk back through the doors in the direction of her office, the same route you'd be taking in half an hour with your decision.

•

You slowly walk up to the red door plastered with rainbows and quotes and raise your hand to knock. A few seconds the door opens and you're met with the smiling face of Mrs Hart.

She motions to the chairs in front of her desk and addresses you "Amelia please come in, take a seat".
She follows you over to the desk, taking a seat in her chair on the opposite side to you. She scoots closer to the desk and places both hands on a folder whilst asking "So, has a decision been made?".

You can't help but smile whilst saying "I'll do it".

You laugh as the professional infront of you let's out a little scream of excitement and pulls open the folder, "something in me told me you were going to say yes so everything is sorted! Emails have been sent out to parents for the children here and emails have also been sent out to schools in the area".

You laugh as the woman sat opposite you continues to ramble on before it hits you. "Hold on" you interrupt her , "how did you know I was going to say yes".

She sits back in her chair and lets out a sigh before saying "you have the same glint in your eyes whenever someone talks about football that I used to have". She stands up and makes her way around the desk before taking a seat next to you, she pulls up her skirt to reveal a brace that covers her leg from her ankle to just above her knee. "ACL that went very wrong when i was 21, ended any dreams i ever had before they could start". You look over the brace before looking back up, she places a comforting hand on your shoulder "your career isn't over yet, i promise you that".

•

Two hours later and you have finalised everything needed to begin in two weeks time.
During the meeting you had over 50 emails from parents wanting to enrol their little girl meaning you had to open up more time slots.
You were now going to be leading 6 two-hour session over two days, with 12 children on each session.

On your way home from the school you stop at the shop to grab a bottle of prosecco ready to celebrate when you get home.
The first thing you do is facetime your family in a group call, one by one every ones face pops up as you sit ready to tell them all your big news.

•

After an hour of conversations with your family you jump into bed with a glass of prosecco ready to relax.
You begin to think about football and for the first time in years you smile, maybe this was just what you needed.

You pull out your phone to text Mrs Hart.

Amelia: Hey Mrs H, I just wanna say thankyou for this opportunity! I think maybe it's just what i needed to get myself back on track:) x

You receive a reply almost instantly.

Mrs H: This is all you from now my dear, just make little you proud and do it for those of us who can't. I'm excited to see where this opportunity takes you. x

You reread over the text a couple of times and smile at yourself before switching on the tv and finishing the last few episodes of your favourite series.

•

———— 8 Weeks Later ————

The last 6 weeks of camps have flown by and you are now down to the last weekend. You are sad to say goodbye to all of the girls you have met along the way, but also excited as most of them have joined clubs to begin playing with.

Just before your last session you receive a text from Mrs H, who has been checking in on how you are doing and has even joined you for a few sessions.

Mrs H: Last session! Let's go! I also may have a little suprise for you... Choose 15 girls to take to the Emirates with you on October 1st, I've bagged a mascot package for all of you with the Arsenal Women's team, a little thankyou from me to you. xx

Amelia: Mrs H I have no words, this wouldn't be happening without you and your amazing idea, planning and donations! Please come with us, we need to celebrate you too! x

Mrs H: It was a joint effort between both of us, i would be delighted to join you! Thankyou for doing this and good luck with your new ventures. Please don't be a stranger, i'll see you on October first! x

•

Your last session flys by and before you know it you're saying goodbye to the girls and packing everything away for the last time.
You pick up a ball and begin to slowly kick it up in the air bouncing it off your foot, then your knee, then your chest before heading it into the goal. You chuckle and whisper to yourself  "still got it".

You run around the pitch collecting up the balls, banging each one into the goal hitting the top left corner every time.
Unknown to you a dog walker recognises you and begins to film your skills and later posts this online.

As you sleep later that night your video begins to go viral. Showing the world that you do in fact, still have it.

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