Soccer
4 November, 2024
Wimmera junior soccer players shine at Shepparton Cup
Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, the South West Victorian Football Association attended the Shepparton Cup, which is now Australia’s largest junior football tournament as of 2024. Over 350 teams competed in Shepparton.
Three teams represented SWVFA in the Under 11, 12 and 15 Boys Divisions against NPL, Metro, State League, Tasmanian and Melbourne Academies, and even international teams (New Zealand).
Horsham's Kaden Thomas played in the under-12s side with Stawell's Aiden Guerrero. Stawell's Dexter Coburn, Archie Coxon, and Braxton Young represented the under-11s side, which were runners-up. Bronson Potter, also of Stawell, played in the under-15s side.
SWVFA performed competitively, with all three teams improving as the tournament progressed. The U12 team, newly coached by Janis Vingrys and Ross Levett, achieved two draws against NPL (Goulburn Valley Suns) and metro (Fawkner) sides and two losses in a tough group that included overall Cup winners 12th Player Academy and a Tasmanian Academy team.
The U15s, coached by Rodney Perry, played in a group that included both state and Academy teams. They accrued three initial losses but persevered despite an injury-riddled bench to achieve one draw (2-2) for the tournament against SAS Futbol on Sunday.
Excitingly, SWVFA’s newest representative U11 team, coached by Benjy Hawkins and Aaron Francis, progressed to the Liga Plate Grand Final after finishing third in their group and winning their quarterfinal and semifinal.
The Under 11 team, who had played just one match together before the tournament, enjoyed their first 3-2 victory in Friday night’s opening match against NPL side Goulburn Valley Suns, then playing two tough metro opponents, losing 0-2 to Fawkner, and 1-3 to Newport on Saturday.
They finished third in their group of four and then, on Sunday, won 1-0 in an elimination quarterfinal morning against metro team Caroline Springs George Cross. They progressed to play the home side Shepparton, who had previously narrowly defeated them this year at the Country Championships. They then won the semifinal 1-0.
The SWVFA Secretary and Representative Football Player Coordinator Melissa Condo said it was incredible.
"This under-11 team’s performance, as a newly formed squad, is just incredible," Ms Condo said.
"They left everything on the pitch in the Grand Final, which was against an NPL team, Dandenong City FC.
"Going from playing their first match as a team the weekend before putting together a tournament campaign and finishing in a Grand Final is beyond inspiring."
Ms Condo described the team’s grand final performance as a roller coaster and ‘absolutely euphoric’, in particular, when, in the final minutes, SWVFA trailed 0-1 and was battling to score in their forward half, with the match almost over.
With less than two minutes to go, Declan Membery delivered an impeccable corner kick into the box. Steff Van Den Heuvel deflected the ball back out to a waiting Finn Dwyer, who then fired a rocket at the goals, finding the back of the net and sending spectators into a frenzy and the team to its first-ever penalty shootout.
SWVFA’s goalkeeper Dexter Coburn’s composure under pressure was surpassed only by the Dandenong City FC’s goalkeeper, who maintained impressive focus, saving two attempts to SWVFA’s single. The final scores ended with SWVFA 3 - 4 (1-1) DCFC.
"SWVFA looks forward to a full tournament calendar next year for our representative squads, as well as some gala days against South Australia, Melbourne and other regional teams," Ms Condo said.
"It is so encouraging to see the calibre of our young players currently and to offer them the opportunity to compete and keep playing football even once the standard season is over."
Horsham's Kaden Thomas played in the Under-12s, mainly on the wing. He had a few shots at goal, including one from the midfield that almost went in. He showed he deserved to be part of the team and said he enjoyed himself.
"I enjoyed it; it was a good experience," Thomas said.
"It was good to be a part of the team. I liked the challenge, my coach and my teammates.
"I hope to make the team again for next year."
