After four years with a new team every season, I started my first practice of my fifth football season expecting it to be the same. Play on this team for one year, then be randomly placed on another team the following year. Little did I know that this team, especially the coaches, would leave a lasting impact on my life. I gained an invaluable support system that has stayed with me for over nine years. Even though our team, "The Stingers", eventually changed to "The Velocity", one girl, Christina, has always been there for me and continues to be. be by my side today. Playing on the same football team for nine seasons, we have developed a bond that won't be broken easily. We can look at each other and start laughing for no reason. I know all her dramas and she knows mine. Our mutual trust that grew on the football field has extended to every aspect of our lives. I know that I can turn to her at any time and that she will drop whatever she is doing and come to my rescue. Likewise, she knows that I will always be there to help her in any situation, no matter how difficult it may be. Recently, when Christina received the heartbreaking news that her mother had breast cancer, I stood by her side to help her through it. She was able to count on my support when it was too difficult for her to manage alone. When she needed a break from the stress of her mother's health, we would hang out and talk for hours. Likewise, when my relationship with a mutual friend was in trouble, Christina was there to help me get through it. She encouraged me to stay strong and continue to treat our friend with respect even though she neglected me and our decade of friendship. Over the years, our relationship...... middle of paper... kills, I can always count on my second family to support me through it all. On many occasions, when I felt like my soccer skills weren't up to par and that I wasn't good enough, my coaches constantly encouraged me to continue training and training to become a best player. They didn't let me give up because they knew I could get better if I gave it my all. The encouragement I receive from my football family is greatly appreciated because I know they choose, out of love, to support me. Although I have developed my soccer skills over the years, the relationships I have formed with people are more valuable than my ability to play the game. Playing soccer has given me the opportunity to be surrounded from a big family of people who really love me. I am forever indebted to sport for allowing me to develop loving relationships with players and coaches..