Everything that has a beginning has an ending. This is the cycle of our lives and sports in that matter are no exception. For many athletes, this can be an emotional time especially when you come to play your last game.
Sunday 18th February was the last game of the season for the UEL Men’s futsal team and the final game for Captain Robert Wheeler and Anastasis Troullides.
The game ended in defeat against Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. I spoke to the two veteran players about their time as part of UEL futsal team and their plans after graduating.
The Captain, Wheeler felt very emotional after the game saying, “We’ve been improving as a team every week by learning from our mistakes. It has always been on to the next game but in this case for me there won’t be a next one so if I’m honest I felt a bit sad.”
UEL Life
Wheeler went on to say, “What I will remember the most is my friends being a part of the futsal club, especially with the lads I’ve played alongside since first year, when you play for a UEL team you are a part of TeamUEL. I’ve [been] very lucky to have made great friends [with] people from all sorts of different sports and I’m sure many of them will be friends for life.”
Being an athlete of a University team might not seem to be extremely difficult in contrast to being a professional athlete, but if you think of how many hours these student-athletes have dedicated for both practice and in games, and also of how much time they spend in class to fulfil their academic requirements, it is quite a juggling act.
Wheeler studying Sports Journalism said, “To be honest it was tough at times when you’ve got long assignments but I’ve always been one to get up early, go to the library and make sure I get my work done.”
Troullides who is currently doing his masters in Architecture added “It is quite difficult. Especially since I’m doing my masters and a lot of time is devoted to that. But futsal was my way of balancing work and leisure and it was good to get out there and play for UEL.”
The Future
However, the career of the two futsal players is not ending here as both of them hope to continue playing and after their graduation.
On his future Wheeler said “playing small sided football games have always been my thing since I started playing when I was young in a football cage on the beach in my hometown of Hastings, I just love playing, so yes I hope to continue playing, I’m just waiting for offers at the moment! I ‘m also working extremely hard at the moment to try and get a full-time job in the Sports Journalism field.”
Troullides is also hoping to continue playing, “Hopefully start working for a big architectural firm. Will definitely continue playing football, if a futsal opportunity arises I’ll give it a go!”
In life, we go through tough times but we enjoy continuing. It is good to remember that there is no true ending, but just a new beginning.
