28 Apr 07

Junior soccer begins

The junior soccer season opened in Kalgoorlie today. Michael (pictured) is playing in the under 12 division for Hannans Sharks.

Kathleen is playing for Hannans College in under 14s, which meant I spent more than four hours this afternoon at the playing fields.

Michael is a very skilful player. He shows a lot of natural ability and has a good work ethic.

He was unlucky not to score a goal today in his team’s 9-1 victory.

Kathleen is playing soccer for the first time and did quite well in a mixed gender competition. Her side lost 0-2.

Junior soccer is huge in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. There are eight teams in most divisions and good-size crowds watch the games.

The surface is patchy at The Oasis, where the kids play. It’s a low rainfall area here, with scratchy soil, but some grounds are better than others and The Oasis is not one of the best.

I don’t know much about soccer but I thought the games were of a high standard. The enthusiasm of the kids is infectious and given their passion for the sport you have to believe that soccer poses a threat to AFL and the rugby codes.

I know that has been said before but soccer really is a sleeping giant in terms of its potential in this country.

These articles might be of interest:

• First soccer game in Mount Gambier
• Michael playing soccer
• Soccer linesman

Tags: family, Kalgoorlie, Kids, Sport

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