Under 8 Blue

Back (L to R): Front (L to R): Season's report Well it's time to ponder on how the U8 Blues performed in 2001. It is hard to imagine us having a more successful year than the previous one, but that is precisely what this team has done and it is a credit to them. Once again the team can be very proud of their conduct on and off the park and the results they achieve on a Saturday are due to the hard work they put into improving their skills at our training sessions every Wednesday. This season we had four new boys join the team. They were Ben Watson, Sean Kelly, Corey Boyer and Tim Kadzoilka. Not only did these boys play extremely well, they also blended into last years line-up of Hamish, Mattie, Oscar, Michael, Jim and Lucas as if they had played together for years. One of the many pleasures I get from coaching this team is to watch their faces when they all get together to warm up just prior to each game. It's all big smiles and genuine affection for each other as they run onto the park, add this kind of camaraderie to a team full of skillful boys who fear no one and you have the makings of a very good soccer team. The results we achieved were as follows: Games Won 11 - Games Lost 1 - Games Drawn 0 Goals For 72 - Goals Against 16 - Cancelled 3 At a glance it would be easy to assume that we were invincible - this is not the case as thanks to the very high standard of our opponents, most of our games could have gone either way and as a result were very entertaining to watch. In the mentioned in despatches section first up are the Mums, Dads, Grandparents, brothers and sisters etc who turn up each week to cheer the team on. Once again our supporters make fine role models for the players, appreciating both teams and applauding the opposition on many occasions - well done. Thanks to Gary for helping at training and assisting with changing out players during the match, not an easy task. Also thanks to Euan for helping with training at the beginning of the season. A mention also to Sophie for the un-enviable job of retrieving the ball from behind the goals at training, thank you. A special mention to Corey Boyer who has moved to the mainland with his family. Thanks for being an U8 Blue in 2001 and if by chance you ever return to this area there will always be a position in our team for you, remember keep your eye on the ball the rest is easy. That much over-used phrase "it doesn't get much better than this" really sums up our 2001 season. The pleasure we get from watching two teams of under eight boys and girls chasing a round ball about, is a reminder to all of us how important that thing called FUN is in our busy lives. So - Hamish, Ben, Mattie, Oscar, Jim, Michael, Lucas, Sean, Corey and Tim thank you very much, I enjoyed every minute. Eddie Rodgers - Coach