On Tuesday night (17th July) we had to attend Drapers Academy to collect an award for ‘Outstanding Achievement In Sport’. Presented by Tony Cottee, the trophy was to recognize the fantastic efforts of the children in all the competitions they have entered this year: netball, hockey, football and rugby! We are already looking forward to next year and furthering our relationship with the academy – who by then will be enjoying their new facilities.
Tony then gave a speech to the audience that focused on always having a strong sense of self belief... even when the odds seem stacked against you. For someone so small, making a career as a professional footballer was always going to be a challenge. However Tony spoke about how he used the dismissive attitude of his doubters to inspire him to try even harder.
At the end of the night he shared a poem, which reiterates this message:
You Can If You Think You Can!
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But soon or late the man who wins,
Is the man who thinks he can.
~ C. W. Longenecker ~
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