Remember the Goal(2016)

Plot Summary

• Introduction:The film opens with the introduction of Courtney Smith-Donnelly, a young and enthusiastic coach hired to lead a high school girls' cross country team. The team, lacking significant achievements in the past, is initially skeptical of Courtney's abilities, given her youth and unconventional coaching philosophy.Coach Donnelly's Philosophy:Coach Donnelly introduces her coaching strategy based on 'The Five P's' - Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Unlike traditional coaching methods that focus heavily on physical endurance and pushing athletes to their limits, Donnelly's approach is more holistic. She emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, emotional well-being, and strategic pacing in races.Building the Team:The initial part of the movie focuses on Donnelly building rapport with the team. Each member of the team is introduced with their unique background and personality:Rebecca: A talented runner who struggles with self-doubt. Sarah: An enthusiastic athlete who lacks confidence. Emily: A determined runner facing family pressure to perform. Jessica: The team's informal leader, initially resistant to Donnelly's methods.Training and Challenges:As training progresses, the team members begin to open up about their personal challenges. Coach Donnelly uses these challenges as opportunities to teach life lessons. Her approach includes:Encouraging team bonding exercises. Focusing on individual runner's strengths and weaknesses. Teaching the girls to pace themselves, both in racing and in life.Community and Parental Skepticism:The team's unconventional training methods and lack of immediate results lead to skepticism from parents and the community. Donnelly faces criticism for not pushing the girls harder and for her focus on mental health over traditional training.Midpoint - Overcoming Obstacles:The middle of the movie showcases the team gradually embracing Donnelly's philosophy. Rebecca learns to overcome her self-doubt, Sarah gains confidence, and Emily finds a balance between her family's expectations and her love for running. Jessica, initially the most resistant, starts to see the value in Donnelly's approach.Preparation for the Championship:As the state championship nears, the team intensifies their training. Donnelly maintains her balanced approach, emphasizing that winning is not just about being the fastest but also about running smarter.The State Championship:The climax of the movie is the state championship race. The team, now united and confident in their coach's philosophy, competes against much more traditionally trained teams. The race is tense, with the girls using the pacing strategy taught by Donnelly. The team's performance is markedly improved, showcasing the effectiveness of their training and the growth they have experienced.Conclusion:The movie concludes with the team performing well at the championship, though not necessarily winning. The focus is on their personal victories and the team spirit they have developed. Coach Donnelly's methods are finally acknowledged and appreciated by the community.The film ends with the team celebrating their journey, highlighting the lessons they have learned about perseverance, teamwork, mental health, and the importance of a balanced approach to life and sports.Themes and Messages:"Remember the Goal" is more than a sports drama; it's a story about personal growth, the power of positive leadership, and the importance of holistic development. It teaches valuable lessons:The Value of Holistic Coaching: Success is not just about physical prowess but also about mental and emotional well-being. Leadership and Compassion: Positive and nurturing leadership can lead to greater success than traditional authoritative methods. Teamwork and Individual Growth: Personal challenges can be overcome through teamwork and mutual support. Adaptability: Being open to unconventional methods can lead to surprising and positive outcomes. Perseverance: Facing life's challenges with a positive attitude and determination is crucial for growth and success.Conclusion:"Remember the Goal" is a heartwarming and inspiring film that resonates with not just athletes but anyone looking to find balance and success in their endeavors. It's a testament to the power of positive leadership, the importance of mental and emotional health, and the value of teamwork and perseverance.

Storyline

• A new coach takes over the girls' cross-country program at a private Christian school and sets a goal for them to win the state meet. As they begin to train for this, each of the top 5 runners separately deals with a particular issue of teen life. As each one's story unfolds, so does the wisdom of the young coach as she guides the girls along the pathway of life. — Dave Christiano