#usateamhandball

[wbeverly-4-blog]

[wbeverly-4-blog]

Not only am I a competitive athlete. I’m also a Firefighter, a Computer Technician, and a “BELIEVER”

You have the power to do amazing things!

[avrusa]

USATH Journey Update! “Failure does not define us; Failure develops us.”

Ok so you may or may not know what a potentially big year this could be for USATH’s Women’s National Team. This year has many important tournaments leading up to the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympics. If you’ve been following along, you may have heard both the men’s and women’s teams lost the “head to head” battle with Uruguay for a spot in the Pan American Games (one route to the 2016 Olympics). Yes, this was an upsetting, emotional, & all around tough loss. I’ll reflect more on that below. However, the women’s team must look forward as we still have the opportunity to accomplish many things this year…starting today!! Today marks the first games of the North American/Caribbean Qualifier for the Pan American Championships (aka our route to World Championships and ultimately another possible route to Olympics)! We will play 6 countries in 7 days. We must finish in the top 3 to move on! This is our challenge. This is our goal: Bring back a medal to the USA!

I didn’t post much immediately after our losses to Uruguay but have spent much time reflecting on the experience and ultimately the failure…yes I said failure. We often don’t like to use this word because it seems so harsh, gloomy & well just plain “loser-ish”. However, it really isn’t (as hard as that is for me to say because I really am not a big fan of losing!)! Failure is a part of life. While it is never our preferred route, we all face it and it’s disappointing. However, Failure can either define you or you can define failure. Failure is motivation. Failure is growth. I will learn from it and will be better, stronger, and even more determined because of it. Failure is part of the reason we will succeed next time, and it will be that much sweeter!

It was a tough loss to Uruguay for many reasons, but excited to have another opportunity to get back on the court today! Keep believing! Keep improving! Thank you friends and family for your continued support and love on this journey! I am still so thankful to put on the USA Jersey, compete and grow with my teammates, and pursue an incredible dream! No matter where this journey leads, I am blessed. To God be the Glory!

(March 30, 2015)

[avrusa]

It’s GAME DAY for USA Team Handball in Auburn!! Excited. Blessed. Thankful. Ready. These are a few of the emotions I am feeling today as we get ready to play our first international game on U.S. soil! Can’t wait to go into battle with my teammates and protect our home court! Please come out and support the USA as we take on Puerto Rico all weekend! The USA “A” Team plays tonight followed by the USA “B” Team tomorrow night (5:30 pm CST start times both nights). Sunday afternoon at 1 pm CST will round out the series with USA “A” taking the court again. We’d love to have you in Auburn for all the games - General Admission is free thanks to the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau. If you can’t make it, we’ll be posting the games on delay via Youtube so you can watch at home! Check back for the links :) GO USA!!!! 

[avrusa]

Hello, World!  Long time, no talk…I know, my bad!  I am hoping that the whole "better late than never" saying applies here :)  It's been just over a year since my last blog, and I promise to do a better job posting updates over the next 365 days!  So here it goes: This blog provides a brief update on my adventure with USA Team Handball (USATH).

It’s been about two years since I first saw this sport in the 2012 Summer Olympics and what started as a far-fetched dream has turned into my reality, training every day with USA Team Handball and a chance to qualify and compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.  While it’s certainly not an easy road, I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity and confident this is where I am suppose to be right now.

This November marks my one year anniversary of moving to Auburn, Alabama, and being in full time residency for USATH.  The consistent practice and time on the court is invaluable.  In addition to training full time in Auburn, the Women’s National Team has also traveled on three international preparation tours.  We are planning for two more tournaments before year end, including games on our home court at Auburn University (more to come on this soon)!  These are important opportunities for us to play good competition and improve exponentially faster through game experience.  They also validate our progression as a team, allowing us to see our improvement resulting from full time training. 

Hands down, this has been one of the most exciting, humbling, and life changing times of my life.  I'll be honest, learning a new sport in your late twenties is difficult.  Also, The USA is a bit of an underdog in team handball, much like the 1980 USA Hockey MIRACLE team. However, I believe some of life’s greatest rewards come from facing and persevering through our greatest challenges.  We have an awesome group of hardworking female athletes and an outstanding, internationally respected coaching staff.  We believe we can achieve our dreams of qualifying for the Olympics and that hope drives us to keep working hard and improve every day!  

 “America doesn’t send athletes to the Olympics, Americans do!” This is not just a catchy Team USA slogan; it’s the truth, and there are multiple ways you can support me on this journey.  First, I ask for your prayers and encouragement.  My ultimate goal is that I will honor God, Country, family, and friends and be a good role model and positive influence to those around me.  Yes, I want us to qualify for Rio and for us to do well at the 2016 Olympics.  Most importantly though, I want to reflect God's love and character to others.  If through this experience, I can positively impact others' lives, I will be satisfied.  

Second, I ask that you consider donating to our cause.  USATH, a 501 (c)(3) organization, does not currently have the necessary funds to help the athletes offset expenses while training.   Each athlete pays her own room, board, and any other living expenses, including additional travel costs for competitions.  All donations are tax deductible and extremely helpful as they go directly into funding my training and travel expenses for USATH.  If you would like to give, donations can be made online at www.crowdrise.com/ashleyvanryn.  Finally, you can show your support through simple word of mouth strategy: talk about USA Team Handball with others and attend events and games when possible!   

I could not have taken this risk without the support and encouragement from my family, friends, and associates.  If you are interested in learning more about team handball, my journey with Team USA, upcoming events, or additional ways to support us, please visit my website at www.avrusa.com.  Oh, and follow my blog of course!