Michael played his first soccer game in Mount Gambier today, after a break of three weeks. He’s playing for Gambier Centrals and his under 12 team lost 1-4 to Inter.

The boys are smaller than he’s used to. After starting in his normal midfield position the coach moved him forward because of his strength.

He didn’t see much of the ball in the second half, but the one time it did get to him he scored a goal, and you can’t ask a striker to do any more than convert his opportunities.

While the standard might be a little lower than Kalgoorlie, mainly because of the younger age bracket, it’s good for Michael to assume responsibility. I could see the little kids looking up to him.

The other positive aspects of soccer in Mount Gambier are the club structure and the grounds.

In Kalgoorlie, there were separate associations for junior and senior soccer, with not much continuity or link. All junior matches were played on the one (sub-standard) oval.

In Mount Gambier the clubs have their own grounds and clubrooms. That creates a community atmosphere.

I’m told the clubs had ethnic origins, but the legacy of that is pretty tenuous today except in colors and as reflected in some of the families who support them.

Centrals were originally a Dutch team. Their ground is called Holland Park and they wear an orange strip.

Inter, where Michael played today, have Italian roots and wear blue. I believe Apollo were Greek and Blue Lake Scottish.

The home and away system is new to us. There will be some travelling as well, with games at Portland, Millicent and Naracoorte.