This year, I took on the responsibility of organizing an 9-a-side football tournament at my school. From the initial planning stages to the execution of the event, this was an enriching experience that allowed me to meet several CAS learning outcomes.

LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth  I was able to identify my strengths and areas for development. As the main organizer, I realized I have strong communication and teamwork skills which helped in coordinating with teachers, students and the facility management team. However, running such a large scale event also pushed me out of my comfort zone at times. Delegating responsibilities and public speaking in front of my peers were aspects I need to improve. Overall, I gained insight into my abilities through this leadership role.

LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills. Organizing the football tournament certainly presented new challenges for me. I had to coordinate logistics and resolve issues on the spot during tournament days. This exposed me to tasks I had not done before like solving crowd management problems. I am proud that I was able to rise to these challenges and develop new skills in the process.

LO3 – Initiate and plan a CAS experience In the initial planning phase I worked closely with my CAS advisor to plan out the steps needed – from brainstorming ideas to submitting proposals. This helped me learn how to properly initiate and organize a CAS experience from conception to execution. Checking milestones and timelines along the way ensured our vision became reality.

Overall, taking the lead with three of my friends in organizing this event was an invaluable experience that allowed me to meet several CAS learning outcomes. It pushed me to grow both as a person and leader while bringing the school community together through the beautiful game. I am grateful for the opportunity and lessons learned along the way.

Video Reflection: https://youtu.be/EYJakjXAhxI?feature=shared