After months of planning, the fourth season of Pentasport has officially begun!
The Pentasport Committee, comprised of members from various churches, has been working hard behind the scenes. Few would have known that with weeks to the start of the season, we were having issues securing gyms for the games – so much so that we might have actually had to cancel our season! But as the committee got together to pray, we slowly saw God’s plan unveil with all the details falling into place.
I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome THREE new teams to our league: Pokémon Gobblers from Richmond Pacific Grace MB Church, Sushi Squad from Burnaby Christian Pentecostal Church, and Pylons from Lord’s Grace Church! It is great to see the heart of the league spreading to churches in the Lower Mainland. With new teams and players every season, we tangibly see steps taken towards our vision. Not only have we seen churches come together through sports and the socials, we also heard how some reconnected with old friends while others made new ones because of this league. This brings us much joy!
I would like to also welcome back our returning teams this season! We started with four teams in the Spring of 2015. It is amazing to see the league now grow to ten! (Though it makes for interesting play-off brackets…) Thank you for your on-going support and we look forward to duking it out (as friends of course!) on the court as in our previous seasons.
After a season of hiatus and taking the season-end surveys into account, basketball and dodgeball made its way back to Pentasport. Why we chose five sports (hence Pentasport…) is simply for the fact that no one person can dominate every sport. A rotation of the sports aims to achieve this, as well as a dependence on teammates. Personally, basketball sure tested my cardio because my exercise regime also took a summer hiatus. It was hard getting out of bed this morning and I’m definitely feeling the soreness! For those who played dodgeball, how’s the elbow and shoulder feeling? Your arm is about to fall off, right? Though these two potential physical and rougher sports (how can it not be taken personally when you are aiming AT me?), thank you for your sportsmanship and for keeping the rough play down. For those who were feeling just as rusty as I was, know that it will get better as the season goes on!
I love sports. I love its unpredictability. Just think of the underdog story or a game winning shot from an unexpected teammate. I know I saw a few amazing shots from the teams who played yesterday! I love even more the relationships and memories it has the potential to form. Sports can also bring out the best or worst in us, yet I believe the choices we make decide which one. Being a baseball fan, the late Major League Hall of Famer Ernie Banks (nicknamed “Mr. Sunshine”) said this, “The only way to prove you’re a good sport is to lose.” When pushed to the brink we know what we are made of. That is why I believe sports is a way to build discipline, teamwork and humility. This does not just happen in the good times, but most often in the lows. With each of my rusty shots and air balls yesterday, I was reminded of how sometimes we just can’t take ourselves too seriously and need to laugh it out. Every game is filled with these moments. Moments of excitement, laughter or frustration. Embrace them. Every moment. You never know how these will be woven into your relationships!
That is what I love about Pentasport because it is more than sports. It’s bigger than ourselves. Bigger than our team. Even bigger than our churches. It’s about tangibly displaying what it means to be a body, with different roles, all working cohesively towards one goal. There is just something powerful about a group of people fighting for a common cause. Our team captain and league rep meeting a few weeks ago was evidence of this. Know that we’re not fighting against each other, but ultimately for each other. You and your team are setting the example for those around you. As entrepreneur and author Dennis Mannering writes, “Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching?” Help others up when they fall. High five the other team. Play by the rules. Sweat it out on the court but smile and laugh even more. It’s not just about winning the championship, but about building relationship.
With each game and decision we make, it is a choice that either goes away or towards this.
Choose the latter.
Choose to build.
Praying for many relationships to be built up this season!
Another round of basketball and dodgeball next week. I better stop typing and start stretching my arm now. Hope to see you around!
Play hard. Laugh harder. Shine brighter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Douglas Wong
Doug feels blessed to be part of the Pentasport Committee. Though once considered retiring from rec-league sports, he currently plays on the Uptown Monks. He lives with his wife, Jessica, and son, Cohen, in Vancouver. He also currently serves as the English Ministry Pastor at Lord’s Love Church.