Playing football on the RIS Varsity Girls' Football team was one of my key CAS experiences, directly connected to the Activity strand. Through this experience, I gained valuable lessons about teamwork, self-improvement, responsibility, and the importance of communication. Our team played 7-a-side matches, and I took on the role of a defender. As a defender, we face challenges unique to our position that others may not encounter. Skills such as tackling, applying physical pressure, accurate passing, and maintaining awareness are especially emphasized.

While physical force wasn’t an issue for me, other skills posed challenges—particularly my lack of ball control and inconsistent passing. These weaknesses affected my overall improvement as a player. Off the field, I also struggled with balancing my passions for music and sports. Being part of the honors choir, which met every Tuesday, alongside a sports team that practiced daily except Wednesdays, meant juggling both commitments on the same day. Each Tuesday, I’d attend an hour of choir before heading to football practice. It was exhausting at times, but as the season progressed and I committed to both, I noticed clear improvements in areas I had previously found difficult.