Awards 2014

Its the end of the season and I have to admit I actually kinda enjoyed it. I hope you all come back next year to once again watch our boys try and score goals and most of all have fun. I will try and get something together later this year in Mordi, where the boys can play and the Adults can enjoy a glass or five (yes Sue and Rachel). I'd also like to thank you all for the Merlot, its was great. See you all soon.



Everyone really was a winner (and it kills me to say it)

U8 Glen Eira Pumas

The last game of the year……. Tis were a glorious day but I think both the parents and the kids were way too relaxed. Even though the Bloxham’s snacks of champions and Coach Tony’s words were unable to eke out the gusto required to beat the opposition who had a few players who had to shave early this morning.  (Bloody Grade 4 pushing 10)

Tomorrow the kids get their awards and I hope they feel as proud as we parents do.

Congratulations to Arun on his "Most Valuable Player GOLD STAR" award for being a great goal keeper at last weeks game.

Coaches' Corner: For this last game of the season we struggled the whole game to compete with a Glen Eira team who took bending the rules to a new level with at least 2 players more like under 11 with skills to match - anyway we did our best to compete in what was a very physical game .We had a couple of missed chances which should have gone in the net. The main difference was that Glen Eira were passing the ball and making space leaving us exposed , also their older (much) players could boot the ball from one end to the other easily. In the last 10 minutes were really stepped up and gave as good as we got to halt the onslaught so the boys should be pleased with that.

Well that's the season over all the boys have improved in every aspect so hopefully we will all be back next year.

Thanks to the 2014 U8 team for their efforts- Karl, Martin, Arun , Charlie(Bloxham), James,  Josh, Jackson, Flynn, Liam,  Alex.

A big thanks to our Manager Karl for all his hard work organising stuff like bread rolls for the canteen, team awards and keeping the team and me  running smoothly and the blogs this year I am sure everybody will agree have been great- so thanks Karl for the hard work .
Also thanks to all the parents for supporting the boys during the season and for doing all the stuff like bringing the boys to training, nets,canteen and fruit.

Also thanks to Michel and David for the training with the U9's

  
GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 0-7 to Glen Eira

U9 Baxter

The last game of the season against the big boys of Baxter! It was a beautiful morning and the game was played in great spirits.  We started well and although under pressure we regularly went upfront.  Charlie was again sturdy in defence with Campbell disturbing their play in the midfield.  Baxter scored a couple of goals, but Will saved many and even saved a penalty.  He has stopped all penalties (1) during the season!

Oliver D was unlucky not to score after a great run and pass from Xavier just before half time.  Or what was supposed to be half time as the ref let the play go on for another 10 minutes. In the second half Xavier showed he is a very good goalie as well and Marley put her big boot to a number of balls. Lucas and Oliver H kept on running in the in the midfield and Damiano had some good moves going forward and was close to a goal. With a longer half again, the players were getting pretty tired, but never lost their fighting spirit.

Congratulations to Oliver Del Rio on his "Most Valuable Player GOLD STAR" award for great runs last week and scoring a great goal.

From David and myself - thanks to all the parents and grandparents for bringing the kids to training and cheering them on during the game, to Jacquie for being an excellent team manager, Karl for the certificates and blog and of course to the players for wanting to be active, learning new skills, making new friends and above all, have FUN!!

 

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 6-0 to Baxter

U8 Sandringham Sandy Stars

Back to the dreaded Sandringham pitch and it was much of the same although this time we lost having fun. There was some great play from all the boys. They really gel as a team except when its an own goal and the blame game starts bit luckily we had coach Jason to cool the situation. Sadly the wise words from coach Tony fell on deaf ears as the cantaloupes (pretty posh Tony) were consumed. Its the last game next season and even your humble manager is glad its coming to an end. See you all at Brown's for the last game.

Congratulations to Karl on his "Most Valuable Player GOLD STAR" award for being a strong forward and dominating play.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JAMES

Coaches' Corner: This was a game of two halves , the first half we were strong and holding our positions and scored 2 goals but Sandy had 2 really good players drafted in for this game and they scored 3 goals by half time , the second half we struggled with the relentless Sandy attacks which led to us losing our positional play and we went back to playing in bunches which opened up our defence and led to Sandy scoring quite a few more goals. Arun and James our keepers did well considering the strike force against them and both had a few good saves. We should now focus on the last game of the season next week and I am sure we can play a good  game.
  
GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 2-9 to Sandringham

Scorers:  Josh and Charlie

U9 Skye

The last game at home against Skye in beautiful conditions. Some bumping before the game seemed to do the trick and the team started in full flight. There was plenty of run up forward with Xavier and Damiano.  In the back Charlie and Marley made sure that Skye did not get out.  Lucas played with flair and Oliver H took on some of their bigger boys. A great pass to the middle from Joel and Oliver DR was there to pounce on the ball and scored a great goal. Will kept the nil again in goals.

The team started the second half not as well and Skye put the pressure on early and came close a couple of time.  Campbell took one for the team with a shot against his head, saving a certain goal.  However Skye did manage to score a bit later.  This triggered the team back in action and it was great to see the passing out wide from defence and back in the middle in attack.  Although we came agonisingly close a couple of times, it ended up in a draw.

Congratulations to Oliver H on his "Most valuable Player" award for the game against Hampton for his great improvement in putting pressure on the opponents and slide tackles!

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 1-1
Scorer: Oliver DR

U8 East Bentleigh Strikers

It was the second time we played the Strikers and this time it was no push over. They really beefed up their squad and had Jurgen Klinsmann as a forward who struck home a majestic goal from an incorrectly called corner. Our boys were up for it and managed to slot home two goals and had chances at quite a few more. Out goalies today really stood there ground and were bloody glad the opposition missed a few sitters. In my opinion, it was the best game of the season. Both the new joint-coach (pictured below) and parents, who were there in force today, had a great time watching another Stingray victory.

Congratulations to Liam on his "Most Valuable Player GOLD STAR" award for scoring an impressive goal at last weeks game.

Coaches' Corner: Another good  team effort against tough opposition, everybody played their part in the win. Goals for Karl and James and some good goalkeeping  from Charlie and Liam. Everybody has really improved their skills and positional play and this was clear during this game.

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 2-1 to the Stingrays
Scorers:  Karl  & James

U9 Hampton

Games against Hampton have been entertaining and this was no exception. After the dogs were off the field and the goals were set up, the game got underway with Hampton scoring a quick goal. We certainly found our mojo after that with some good attacks. Oliver DR was running into space and after a couple of missed chances it was Xavier that scored a good goal. Oliver H kept pressing the opponents and tried to save a corner with a slide tackle. We had some more changes in the first half and Joel and Damiano were unlucky not to score. After half time we continued to dominate, but Damiano and Will could not find the back of the net. Charlie and Lucas ensured that Hampton did not get a chance during the first ten minutes of the second half. However, they only needed one to get back in front. It was entertaining last 10 minutes with Campbell and the rest of the team pressing for an equalizer. Hampton on the other hand hit the post and after Oliver H could not toe poke the last chance of the game into goal, it was Hampton that had won. Losing a game after dominating much of it is not fun, but will all the effort and some great play, it was a ‘good loss’!

Congratulations to Joel on his "Most valuable Player" award for the game against Sandringham for his great defensive efforts

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 2-1 for Hampton
Scorer: Xavier

U9 Sandringham

It was an early kick off on a foggy morning and some of our players did not seem awake yet! It took a while for the team to click but we improved as the first half went on.  Sandringham is a good team and kept their positions well with some very talented players. We were still waiting for the ball a bit, instead of trying to be first to the ball, but the second and third effort was excellent.  The fruit and lollies combo during the break was effective again and we started the second half well.  Even though we went a few goals down, it was good to see that the fighting spirit remained and we were unlucky not to score a goal.  The marking of players on corner kicks and throw-ins improved a lot which is great.

Overall a good effort and with three more games to go - lets keep it up

Congratulations to Xavier on his "Most Valuable Player" award for the game against Baxter for his get runs in the first half and diving saves in the second.

GO STINGRAYS!

The score ended up 6-0 for Sandringham

U8 Beaumaris Kings

It was the second time we played Beaumaris and 12 year Diesel was there again, thankfully in goal during the second half. This time however we were up to it and scored an opener but alas the skill level of our opponent was just to great. The boys ran themselves ragged and tried their best but in the end went down to a deserving team. The boys seem very comfortable and enjoyed all aspects of the days play. There are three games left this season so it's good to see that next year we have another coach to help Tony out. We want to build the boys spirit as much as we want to build their skills and I believe we're off to a good start.

Congratulations to Josh on his "Most Valuable Player GOLD STAR" award for scoring when it was needed at last weeks game.

Coaches' Corner: It was a tough opposition with good foot skills which had us stretched at times , we had some chances and scored the first goal but after half time our  midfield and attack were really all over the pitch not holding positions so we need to work on that for next week. We did have some chances in the second half but with the big Diesel engine in goals for Beaumaris nothing was going in.

GO STINGRAYS! 

The score ended up 4-1 to Beaumaris
Scorers:  Liam