The gallery have watched in disbelief when Jim played. We have thrilled to his wonderful skills. We have watched his uncanny understanding of his opponents. We have seen him lift a partnership so that another player plays so well that the team wins the match. What is inspiring, however; is the depth of courage, the pain filled determination, the aching, blurring, scrambling effort to never give up. He ditched the halo and smelt the blood' (Peter Schreiner's best advice) and played enormous handball. Jim has been unquestionably fair and respectfully merciless. He has been fast and produced stirring match winning shots. He doesn't fear opponents, nor the big moment, and he also loses with dignity. But he never gives up and that is sometimes quite glorious.

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Handball has changed my life in every way. Handball has showed me how to win and lose. Handballers are my second family. A handballer gave me a career. Handball has shown me how to be better.

My greatest memories are at CBC St Kilda. The change rooms before the game, the walk to the court, that echo of the ball and the theatre of the large Sunday afternoon crowd. It is easier to explain the external environment it is difficult to convey what is going on inside during those epic Open Doubles finals, my highlight of the carnival. You have probably already played 2 O'Connor Cup games to 31, qualified for either the singles or doubles final and if your states ping pong ball wasn't drawn on Friday you would have to qualify for both. No time outs, play must be continuous, 5 minute rest if it goes to 3... you get the picture, then suit up for a 3rd O'Connor cup before the sun goes down, hopefully the decider. It has to be the greatest privilege of my life to represent SA at easter.

Ayrton Senna after the Monaco Grand Prix in 1988 said 'That day I suddenly realised that I was no longer driving conscious, and I was in a different dimension for me. The circuit for me was a tunnel which I was just going going going. And I realised it was well beyond my conscious understanding'. He crashed out that day with a few laps to go and over 1 minute ahead, pushing it to the end. Unfortunately; I can't remember games, opponents, years. I am not sure if I was in a different dimension but I was focused, playing on instinct, fully immersed in the contest, never second guessing. I can remember many times playing, playing, playing and then surfacing to hear the score and thinking shit its only 5-2, I thought we were miles ahead.

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Ayrton went on today say in his documentary 'Of course I want to be these best. I would not be competing if I couldn't be the best'. I can't agree and I have more respect for those who play and don't get the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Would I still be playing if I wasn't as good? Probably. Handball should never always be about being the best, it is about the contest, learning when you lose. trying to be better.

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Jim.