2023 Season Report

14C Season Report

Coaches report 14C Boys. Coach Greg Dumbrell. Manager Deb Dumbrell.

This year I was fortunate to have coached a wonderful bunch of young soccer players in a new look team. We welcomed a number of ex Heathcote players to the Club and they were a fantastic addition to a mixed array of existing Eagles players to form the 14C team. The team bonded very quickly and pre comp training commenced.

The season took off with a terrific 3-0 win over Grays Point at Gawley Bay home ground. The game result could well have been much higher with the amount of shots on goal that missed by the barest margin. This repeated itself in many of the games played throughout the season. Sadly we had young Zach fracture his hip, which began a run of broken bone injuries amongst a number of players for much of the first round. To their credit , the boys muscled up, often playing with no subs, and won a number of games, and only had minor losses to the top 4 teams.

As round 2 commenced most injured players had healed and returned to the team which continued to sit on the cusp of a top 4 position. The boys continued to demonstrate improvement in every game they played. They drew and beat some of those top 4 teams and were simply amazing to watch.

We didn’t quite make the semi finals this year but I’m confident that when we return next year, we will be a force to be reckoned with. If we continue to train hard and develop more skills as we have, continuing to respect each other and play for one another, you will do very well. To see each an every one of you improve, transform in fitness level and confidence made me a very happy Coach and I thankyou the boys very much.

Brandon – What an amazing 10^th year you had. Always played hard and took on the bigger/taller opposition. At one point you had scored at least a goal a game which is magnificent. Another player who broke a bone. A shame you missed the final game. As always, you did your Dad proud. Thanks champ.
Christian (CP) – I’m so glad you returned to soccer. Playing up front with Brandon proved a real treat. You too scored numerous goals and displayed your amazing ball control and passing. What a very polite young man you are. Please come back next season. The cobwebs have been well and truly brushed off and we need you scoring goals again next season!
Jacob – welcome to our Club. So nice to have you on board and playing up in attack. Like CP, you possess great dribbling skills which was evident to me from our first training session. You improved greatly throughout the season. It was such a shame to see you injured but like the other injured players, lovely to see you come along and barrack for your team mates. I was so pleased that you got back on the field. I look forward to developing your skills and having you shoot goals next season.
Jake – quiet in nature but big in smiling, manners, speed and huge left foot! Playing you on the left wing was gold for the team. Your crosses and ability to drop back and help the midst and backs was fantastic. You scored some amazing goals. Be proud of yourself and make sure you come back next year. You are an amazing asset.
James (Yocky) – you run like the wind and can run all day! Playing on the right wing and up front was fabulous and reaped many rewards for the team. Always pushing up in attack and dropping back to help in defence. You scored some terrific goals and worked on your shooting after missing some early in the season. Your crosses were fantastic also. Thanks for playing a captains role on many occasions. You have the voice, motivation and leadership skills.

Hawkey – Congrats also on your 10^th year! What can I say. Such a versatile player who doesn’t give up and doesn’t stop till the final whistle is blown. You are the team bulldog munching away at the opposition. I love watching you play. Goals came your way whilst playing mids and striker and I was very happy for you.
Ethan – great having you up in mid field again. It’s so pleasing the confidence you have in heading the ball something you did so many times in games throughout the season. Such a happy young man who is very good at looking and passing to team mates and backing up in support. Well done buddy.
Mason – your improvement from last year to this year was outstanding. Playing mid and back, you worked very hard and always gave your all. Your fitness and running was excellent and we all cheered when you scored that amazing goal against Sylvania. Congratulations on a great season.
Finlay– I watched you transform throughout the season. The improvement from our first training session to the end of the season was fantastic. Your fitness improved to the point you played full games with plenty of running and defending. So good to see. Your respect toward everyone just makes you an amazing young man. Thanks for all your effort both at training and in games.
Mitchell – what an awesome season you had. Thankyou for being Captain many times throughout the season. Your defensive ability and coordination of the backs and mids was outstanding. You bring such confidence to the team and play such an important pivotal role in the backs. Well done and I look forward to seeing you working your magic again next year.
Zach – what a welcome addition to the Club. Our young speed demon in the backs who can also dribble all the way down field and score! We were devastated for you when you were injured but so happy when you got back on the field. You are an amazing player and I look forward to working with you next season to launch our team to great heights. Thanks for coming to the club. What an asset you are.
Cameron – another player that has come to the Club and provided outstanding defensive skills and a very strong boot which I’d love to explore more next season. Like with Zach, you were sustained a bad injury. The fact you played on and didn’t complain or mention it just shows how tough you are and how much you love playing. We are so thankful to have you on board. Well done.
Josh – Thankyou for putting your hand up to play a goal keeper role in the team. You had great confidence but what even impressed me more was your commitment at training and on the field. You transformed your body and fitness level. It made me so excited as a coach. You stepped up to the next level every time it was required. Great work Josh!
Will – Thankyou also for volunteering to play Goalkeeper in the team. You excelled in this difficult position. To be able to save numerous direct spot penalties is incredible. As the season progressed, so did you. Your kicks, going to ground and saves were fabulous. Like Josh, it was a bonus to have you work confidently in defence on the field. Brilliant effort all season!

From Deb and I, we thank the team, but also the amazingly supportive parents, Grand parents and other family supporters for your barracking on the sidelines and your assistance whenever required, be it ground duty, getting the boys to training and providing the boys with yummy oranges and watermelon! Thanks also to Russell, Tony and Wayne for your assistance with training, warm ups and coaching assistance. Greatly appreciated guys.

Biggest thanks goes to my wife and Team Manager, Deb. Your behind the scenes work for the team and keeping everyone informed with things is exceptional. I honestly can’t thank you enough.

Deb and I have truly enjoyed the company of each and every one of you each week. It’s no wonder the boys are such polite and respectful champions having come from wonderful families.

Stay injury free boys and I look forward to seeing you all very soon for the 2024 season where we can again have some fun and go even further with our results.

Go Eagles!!!!!

Coach Greg .