Free Netball Dreams by Thalia Kalkipsakis Page A

clapped his hands. He’s our P.E. teacher and he’s pretty cool. He calls me ‘Awesome Alex’, even though I’m not awesome at sport. Mr Dwyer is nice to everyone.
    ‘All right, people!’ called Mr Dwyer, clapping his hands again to get our attention. ‘Take a seat while I explain what’s going to happen.’
    There was shuffling and chatting as everyone sat. The ground felt rough and hard under my legs. But I didn’t mind. All I could think about was how glad I was to be on a team with my friends.
    ‘The netball tournament starts in two weeks,’ called Mr Dwyer.
    Callum gave us all a thumbs-up, as if he was expecting us to win.
    ‘Next week, I want you to get to know your team,’ continued Mr Dwyer. He paced in front of us like an army captain in front of his troops. ‘Some team members have good ball skills and lots of experience. Others have less experience,’ he added.
    I didn’t look at Mr Dwyer when he said that. I knew he was talking about people like me.
    ‘But everyone brings something special to their team,’ called Mr Dwyer, and punched his fist in the air. ‘I want you all to remember that.’
    I brushed an ant off my leg. Everyone brings something special? Around balls, nothing I did was special.
    But at least, when I did nothing special this term, I would be doing it with my friends.

‘I’m out the back!’ called Mum, when she heard me get home from school.
    I pinched two rice balls from the fridge. Then I went out the back door to see Mum. The rich smell of fresh soil met me. I had to step carefully to keep my shoes clean.
    ‘How was school?’ asked Mum.
    She shook dirt from a bunch of carrots and dropped them in a basket.
    ‘Good,’ I said, as I munched on a rice ball. ‘I’m on a netball team with Becky and the gang.’
    Mum wiped a strand of hair from her forehead and left a smudge of dirt. ‘Really! That’s like basketball, is it?’
    Mum’s about as sporty as I am. She hardly knows anything about sport. I kept eating the rice balls as I explained the difference between basketball and netball. Mr Dwyer had taught us that already.
    ‘And that’s why the best players are Angie, Claire and Callum,’ I finished.
    Mum came to stand near me. She looked at me with a faraway look in her eye. Then she cupped my face in her hands, like she was holding a baby. ‘You’ll be great on a team, Alex,’ Mum said, smiling. ‘You’re good with people.’
    I let Mum kiss my forehead. Then I headed back inside feeling happy. Maybe I could do something special on the team, after all.

    The next week in P.E. class, all six teams stood in groups around the netball courts. It was time to decide who would play in each position.
    In netball, each player has a specific job to do – like shooting goals, or stopping the other team from getting goals.
    I didn’t think I would be good in any position. Unless ‘score keeper’ was one.

    Callum turned to face us. He clapped his hands like Mr Dwyer always does. ‘Right,’ he said. ‘I’m playing centre, and let’s see …’
    He scratched his head as he continued. ‘Mickey’s goal shooter, and Brad is goal defence –’
    But he didn’t get any further through the positions than that.
    ‘Hang on!’ Angie said, her arms crossed. ‘You’re not the boss, Callum.’
    ‘Yes I am. I’m captain,’ he said, standing tall and proud.
    Mickey did a joke salute, like he was in the army. Brad laughed, but Claire and Becky scowled with Angie.
    ‘We’re meant to work this out together,’ said Angie. Her dark eyes were flashing. It didn’t look like she was going to be bossed around by Callum.
    I like Angie. She’s strong, and nice. But I didn’t want her to start a fight. So I decided to speak up.
    ‘Well, why don’t we make Angie vice-captain?’ I suggested.
    The whole team looked at me. A netball flew past. But no-one moved. There was complete silence while everyone thought about my idea.
    ‘You both know heaps about sport,’ I said.