Not all Champions are in the News

People who know me might wonder why I am publishing an article... I usually don't read or write long texts…BUT this topic I need to share with the world because I'm?happy, proud, and discontent?at the same time.

Two years ago, I published a post on LinkedIn with one of the happiest moments in my daughter's volleyball life. She was for the first time 2x national champion in female volleyball U13 in school sports and the federation's national championship, and they won 1st in several other national tournaments during that year.

Why is it so relevant to mention?

Because both teams were from public schools in a small city in Portugal - Escolas Madeira Torres and S?o Gon?alo in Torres Vedras. The girls had no special conditions, no fancy facilities, BUT amazing professional coaches who care and a lot of individual talent.

Three schoolteachers,?Susana Maia, Dario Teixeira, and Carlos Capela,?came together again this season, with great support from the school's board, to train over 150 girls between the age of 5 and 17 of the several teams of the?Madeira Torres Voleibol?club. They teach them values that are not seen in so many other teams they played against: teamwork, fair play, friendship & respect are what they breathe.

During the pandemic year, they never gave up on our girls and provided online support training. Additionally, they invited some professional players to talk to them to keep up the motivation. Immediately when they were able to put them on the field to play, they had a friendly tournament during a weekend with several games to warm up their muscles - BTW- they WON them ALL.

After that, the national championship started (finally), and my daughter played in her U15 team and on top, she joined the U16 team with several other girls her age, and one even younger at 13 years old. I can tell full of pride – THEY ROCKED. Both teams lost only one game the whole season, both teams are?Regional Champions?(YEAH), the Team U15 lost the last game of the season this Sunday (what a shame), so they got?Vice National Champions?(You are Rock Stars), at last, the week before the U16 team WON.

They are?THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS Female Volleyball U16 2020/2021.

From both teams, five girls, including my daughter, were invited to participate in some training and tournaments of the Portuguese National Team! To conclude on the winnings of the Madeira Torres Voleibol club this season:

- the?U13 are Regional and Vice National Champion, too (congrats, beautiful girls)

- the?U12 squad is Vice Regional and will go to the Finals of the Nationals, which means there is still?one title to bring home!

It concerns me that athletes with such great values, talented and represent our country in the national and international leagues or tournaments are not being?talked about in the national press for the wrong reasons. Fortunately, our regional newspaper and radio stations publish great articles and interviews because they see how great our teams are. But if nobody from the big press and corporates in Portugal recognizes and supports the youth teams soon, the girls lose interest in practicing volleyball in the future. They will go abroad to be successful…what would be a shame…

We see it already happening! One of the girls got a 100% scholarship from a US College for Fall22…and more will follow.

We should maybe even ask to create several national teams in several age groups to be more representative as a country as we have enough talent to do so! The facts, numbers & statistics show that we could represent Portugal internationally even more. I hope my article influences the right people, and they receive it as a positive and constructive call out for the people who make decisions. Be fair, and don't talk just about Senior football, hokey or male volleyball. Encourage for the future, spread the word, be vocal ...