Friday 7 February
U8 Starfish
All Stars Starfish have improved dramatically since the start of the season. They are now learning the art of rucking where everybody has a role. The girls are now spreading out in attack and learning how to defend. We welcome Holly Lane to the team. Holly started out a little tentative, however by the end of the game, she was making some fantastic touches. The team consisting of Harriet, Meg, Chelsea, Lily, Niamh, Holly, Elizabeth and Hannah are an absolutely delightful group of girls who are having an enjoyable time each week!
U8 Makos
On Friday the 7th of February, the boys played against Rebels and had a very close game! In the end we determined it was a draw with the boys going over for 3 tries a piece. We were missing our usual hard-working dummy half Keinian, but thanks to the hard work of Mathias, who is always following the ball, ready to work hard, we more than made up for his absence. My boys are very determined and never give up on a chase – no matter how far away the player may be, and I am very proud of how far they have come in this respect! Beau and Dylan made some crucial touches, even pulling out some dives (which are quite addictive after you’ve managed your first one). Through the effective straight and hard running of Jordan and Ollie, we managed to grab a couple of tries very early in the first half! The boys have all improved at running forward and not always trying to beat the other team on the outside! Thomas had another brilliant sideline run this week, just falling short this time, but I believe next week, he’ll nail it! Special mention to Ed for his cover defence when we needed it – he is always reading the play and anticipating the next move of the opposing team! I am so happy with the progress and dedication of these boys, who a couple of months ago, really had no idea how to play touch football. The most important thing though is that every week they say to me ‘I love playing touch’, and that’s all that counts as far as this coach is concerned!
U8 Barracudas
This week we have been focusing on catching and passing the ball, mainly on looking at where you are going to pass the ball so you don’t drop it – no hospital passing!
I have introduced some new rules within our team of a minimum of 2 passes each play and not to hold onto the ball for more than 5 seconds, my team had a belief of hogging the ball and now have an understanding of a team playing together for all to enjoy the game…NOW my only problem is that they score too quickly and they don’t have much ball time and spend their game defending!!!
I have introduced 2 incentives for the end of the year, the best team player is to receive a water bomb maker, it is awesome…. and the team player who doesn’t pass the ball, run forward, go in as dummy half, bad passing, bad catching or hogs the ball receives the “Barbie Doll Award” . Barbara now sits on the sideline and watches the game looking for the new and rightful owner at the end of the year! Last week’s game was one of the best games they have EVER played.
Our next training run next Wednesday the boys will be playing a quick game with eggs, I’m sure it will be fun!
Throughout the season all team members have taken on the role of going dummy half for each set of 6, that way they are not fighting over the ball or no one going for the ball, there is always someone there for that quick play. Also the Term “A bunch of grapes” has come into play…typically they have been bunching up and passes have been wasted and the ball carrier has ran in to a team mate resulting in running backwards…that’s where “The Barbie award” comes into play!
Our other team strategy the boys have adopted is our “Call” of “WIGGLES”, they all know that it’s time from the 3rd tip they play hot potato and the ball is passed all around the park.
The whole team of Barracudas have excelled with fantastic quick plays of the ball from Izaya, brilliant left and right foot steps from Kye, quick thinking all around the park from Cooper “Scooper”, magnificent gap finding and tries from Cooper “Jet”, always looking for support and sideline running from Lochie, the use of speed, quick plays and gap finding from Alex “Apples”and great dummy half support and wing support from Max “Norfy”. I’m quite fortunate that the team I have been blessed with have really shone and the skills they have taken on for their first season of playing touch footy has been impressive. I think my boys are ready for next years “A” grade competition already.
Coach Ashley
U10 Pearls
The girls had a great game against the Surfers with everyone working together to score the tries! The rucking of the team has improved out of sight, always having the dummy half ready and running on to the ball. Especially Lucy J, Jasmine and Bella working hard to get the ball down the field, feeding to Lucy N and Evie who have been damaging in attack. Izzy and Eva were standouts in defence, putting pressure on the attack resulting in a few turn overs. Well done Pearls!
U12 Jewels
Back to winners circle for the girls this week with a comprehensive 6-1 win! Playing with only 6, the girls showed tremendous fitness and skill to out shine their opponents.