‘Mashup’ soccer success
Michael (pictured left) was joint captain of the Mount Gambier team that defeated a Warrnambool side in the under 14 “Mashup Cup“.
The competition rules required at least five girls to be on the field for each side at any given time.
Mash-up football
Michael is involved with the Round Ball summer development program in Mount Gambier.
This weekend the group will play “mash-up” games combining boys and girls against visiting teams from Warrnambool.
“For many years female players have played in local soccer matches and the Round Ball and many others have mixed girls and boys to create good outcomes and to extend individual players,” Round Ball CEO Scott Dickson said.
“This is different though; this is a competitive fixture against a talented opposition who places a high degree of importance on co-educational football.”
Each side will have 16 players in each squad, eight boys and eight girls, and five girls will play on the pitch at all times. The focus is on development and fun, letting the kids mix and play the game.
Michael has been named boys’ captain of the under 14 team. He is pictured with the girls’ captain Monique Ianella.
Hockey and soccer goalkeeping
I mentioned on my other site how I played in a charity soccer match on Wednesday night.
It was my first competitive team game of any kind for several years and I pulled up understandably sore.
However, I enjoyed the game very much and didn’t disgrace myself as a goalkeeper, if i do say so myself.
My son, who is a talented soccer player, was a harsh critic, but overall even he thought I did okay.
This post is to describe in some detail the differences, as I saw them, between goalkeeping in soccer and hockey. (more…)
Weekend in Adelaide
Just a short post to let regular readers know I’m still around. I left early on Friday for a long weekend in Adelaide with young Michael.
It’s a five-hour drive, allowing for necessary breaks.
On Friday night I attended the South Australian Country Press Association awards, where The Border Watch was recognised for best sports story.
The ceremony was held at the historic Adelaide Town Hall. (more…)
Michael uses his head
This is a reasonable picture of Michael shaping up for a header during his soccer tournament at Warrnambool today.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is a good all-round camera with a 10X optical zoom. It’s not ideal for sport, but if I take enough photos I usually capture one that’s okay.
Michael’s team finished second in the tournament to the host team Warrnambool, which was a good effort. They played seven-a-side in 15-minutes halves on short pitches with no offside.
Conditions were very warm, about 30 degrees for much of the day before the wind swung around late.
I had the other kids with me as well. They spent some time at the adventure playground and I took them out for lunch, then they watched the soccer in the afternoon. (more…)
Off to Mildura for soccer
My son Michael has been selected in the under 12 team to represent Western Border at the South Australian country soccer championships in Mildura this weekend.
I’ve negotiated myself a lifetime position as his manager with a fee of 85 percent (after he haggled over my 90 percent bid).
So I’m driving north to protect my financial interest … and to enjoy some rare bonding time with my eldest boy. (more…)
Centrals Under 12 soccer team
This is the Centrals Under 12 soccer team. Michael is in the back row, second boy from the left.
His team needs to beat Portland this weekend to have any chance of playing in the finals. Portland is one place above Centrals on the table and this game is the longest road trip, about one and a quarter hours.
