Hey, Coach,

I remember the exact words you said to me when I handed in my jerseys and explained why I couldn't play for your anymore. "You're kind of making it sound like it's my fault," you said. It was your fault that me, and multiple other girls, decided to switch teams so they didn't have to play for you or stopped playing altogether.

You left a lot of us angry, hurt, and upset.

I can't speak for them, but I can say that I forgive you.

You taught me everything I didn't want to be when I became a coach.

I started coaching the day that I quit your team; it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Their playing time was not fixed, they had to work for their playing time every practice before the games. I made sure to celebrate the girls who I saw working the hardest and give everyone the same advantages and time to showcase their improvement. Something I did that was similar to you was that I had favorites: however, all my girls were my favorites and received equal treatment from me.

You taught me that life is unfair.

I'm going to have people in my life who don't believe in me and would rather work according to their own agenda; yet, I will thrive in spite of them, just as I did with you. I want you to know that I was captain of two of the other club teams I was on. I coached a team of beginners that received 2nd place in the finals, losing only by 1 point in the last match.

I was seen as a valuable player to every team I was on except yours; this is why I know that one person's opinion will never define me. You have made my skin thick and resistant to those who don't believe in me. I have seen my worth and I will never forget it, especially not over you.

One of the best lessons you taught me is that even though there are people who will hold me back, there are more people who will pull me forward.

My friends supported my decision to quit and never made me feel as if I made the wrong choice. My other coaches reached out to me to help keep me involved and continue to grow my love for the sport. My mom let me know how proud she was of my ability to handle such an unfortunate circumstance so maturely.

SEE ALSO: The Coach That Killed My Passion

I can't speak for all the other girls who decided to move on from you or how they decided to handle the situation, but I am thankful I ended up on your team and I'm even more thankful I didn't put up with it that last season.

Thanks for everything,

#13