Sports are a time to sharpen athletic skills, build familiar bonds of friendships and teach life lessons and experiences. While a majority of people focus on the athletes and their ability to perform in their conditions, recognition should also be given to the coaching staff who embody all of the principles they intended to pass to the next generation. A prime example of this is the new head coach of Aliso Niguel High School’s Girls Lacrosse team, Coach Emi Honda.
Previously, Mrs. Honda was the coach for Aliso Niguel’s JV lacrosse team for three years, then later moved to club lacrosse with SoCal Express for another three years. After that, she went to college at Cal State Fullerton to play for a couple of years, but now she has returned to continue coaching for us.
Coach Honda is putting in the work as well, seemingly both on and off the field. With her coaching and experience as an active player, she is a perfect match for this team.
Coach Honda is excited as well to be with the team this year, with her saying, “We kinda have had a slow start because I was hired a little bit later, but I think I am really excited and the girls are showing up and putting in the work.”
However, a good team is not only built by hard work but by building camaraderie, familiarity with one another and most importantly, setting goals that the team can aspire to accomplish.
Coach Honda has many goals she chases while working with the team, with one of them being able reach the league and possibly win it as well. A majority of the work she does with the girls prepares them to face the many challenges, as well as builds strong bonds with one another that are hard to find anywhere else.
Those strong bonds that she and her team build are what allow them to be so successful in all that they do, especially as they chase their goals
As many coaches and athletes can confirm, there will always be challenges laid out for them with the risks of injuries from players, managing sickness, what player is good in what spot, determining how the team can improve, and so many more.
However, Coach Honda is ready for these challenges, saying, “Tackling it head on and doing what you can with the help of the team captains who know the team well is definitely awesome to have.”
The Girls Lacrosse team still has some tough opponents in their bracket, including teams like Beckman High School, San Clemente High School, San Juan Hills High School, and many more. However, even with these opponents, Coach Honda still encourages them to do their best this season.
Opportunities are guaranteed to present themselves this season, and the hard work, experience, and bonds that Coach Honda is forming with her team are what give her the drive to chase after those opportunities and goals this season and beyond.
