2024 Season Report

U15C Season Report

Coach: Greg Dumbrell

A/Coach: Russell Griffiths

Manager: Deb Dumber

Team Result: Semi Finalists.

Coaches Award: James Yock.

Players Player Award: Brandon Dumbrell

Wow, what an enjoyable season we had. We welcomed some new players to the team and ended up with a squad of 18 players. The boys commenced pre season training and considering the vast range of skills, experience and backgrounds, the boys seemed to gel very well quite quickly. It was very evident from the earliest point that they were respectful of coaching staff and one another. Very polite young men. At this early stage we worked on basic skills and fitness in preparation for the season ahead. Russell and I made an assessment of where the boys both wanted to play and were best suited on the field.

Once the season kicked off, training, fitness and skill enhancement increased and results were clearly evident from some great early wins against very strong teams, some of which went on to the finals also. The boys amazed all of us as to how receptive they were to their training and game play skills being used on the field. Many times we beat more favoured opponents and at one point they led the comp. Russell and I appointed Mitch Ryland’s as Captain and James Yock as Vice Captain. They did a great job throughout the season, assisting with training and warm up prep on game day. They were leaders and voices on the field. Well done boys.

Thankfully, injuries for the most part were minimal compared to the previous year. Having a large squad meant we didn’t have to borrow which was very handy. As the season progressed and we identified opposition game play, improvements within the team, we multi skilled players and made some changes to positions and format. These proved to be very favourable in a comp where only 5 points generally separated 1^st to 6^th.

The boys battled on each week and brought everyone involved great joy and excitement. Every week each player gave everything they could and more often than not reaped the rewards. Players up front and in mids, scored fantastic goals each week, whilst the defenders up the back were incredible in keeping opposition attach at bay. For most of the season we had our amazing Goalkeeper Will saving many shots being fired at goals . In the latter part of the season when he developed an injury, Josh stepped up at a tough part of the season to fill these big shoes. He did very well each time.

It was touch and go as to whether the boys would make the objective of making finals. Every win and point mattered and they had some hard teams to beat which they did. The boys made it to the Semi Finals in a very close tough comp. Amazing but much deserved. In the Semi Final against favourites Bonnet Bay, we didn’t get off to the start we wanted and were down a whopping 5-0. At half time, like we had done against hoodoo team Bosco, we spoke about establishing pride, reflecting on previous tough games and addressing and attending to all the little things that make great things happen. We spoke about the importance of winning the 2^nd half and ultimately, like other times, they lifted and did. Whilst disappointed with the result, they could lift their heads high. Its all a learning experience. Just like every game, they will remember that day and game and will adjust to when they meet such a challenge again.

Like my previous reports, I would like to make mention of all the players who entertained us each week, especially in the cold wet winter conditions that we all faced.

Mitch (Captain) – led the boys on the field each week using his big loud voice. As always, he was pivotal in coordinating the important back line and prepping players and warming them up on game day. You are a great player and work tirelessly every game youmplay. Well done and well played each week.

Yocky (Vice Captain) – this guy can run all day! Amazing pace, enthusiasm and corner kicks! Like Mitch, James did a great job leading the boys on the field and all the facets of prepping and training them. He scored many goals this year and even challenged himself to shift to left wing to make himself use his left foot. The development in this was incredible. Good on you.

Brandon – super boot! Your maturity and strength was very evident in the way you played and trained each week. You took on some very tough opponents and beat them before launching and scoring many goals. Both as your Dad and coach, you made me very proud of your commitment and I loved watching you play each week. I think all would agree, you are a role model to others and certainly entertained us all with doing post goal side flips! Well done and keep up the good work.

Hawkey – the team bulldog terrier continued to terrorise opponents again this season. You are amazing and never give up. Your hardest critic is yourself. Rest assured that we all love watching you play and you are very versatile, being able to play multiple positions all over the field. One moment you can be down one end help our defenders, the next minute you can be up the other end scoring a goal. Fantastic. Well done again.

Will – you stepped up again to play Goalkeeper and wow, you have excelled, saving many opposition attacks. You were much more confident in the role than the previous year and no doubt that confidence will increase again next year. I felt your frustration nearing the later part of the season when you injured your back. We were all impressed by your courage in playing whilst injured. You put the team first when deciding to not play at times. Good on you Will, and keep up the great work.

Zac – A relatively injury free season for you which was fantastic. We started you in the backs again before identifying the position of wing as a more suited one. Your speed and energy and breaks down the line were exciting to watch. You scored some goals and did an amazing job out there. Well done and we look forward to watching you out there again next season.

Keiran – What a quiet but very polite young man you are and a huge newly added asset to this team. Another speedster in the team who was initially a bit nervous as you hadn’t played for a number of years. We tried you in a number of positions in which you did well, but it was when you took up the important Centre full back position that you became outstanding. With your speed, in conjunction with your other backs, you shut down most attacks against us. Thank you for being open to trying such positions. You did a brilliant job.

Christian (C.P.) – what a great season you had again. Often up against bigger opposition, you zipped around them with your amazing ball control skills and scored many amazing goals. We will remember the free kick you took where you scored in the top right corner getting us the win against Loftus. You need to keep your confidence up and believe in your talent. When you do, you excel and are exciting to watch. You are an amazing player and very versatile making it easy for me to sub you into various positions on the field.

Ethan – You had a great season, and particularly in the 2^nd half of the comp. You have great read the play and often selflessly pass balls off which often lead to goals. At the end of the season you learnt to back yourself and scored some great, very important goals. You are always a friendly young man who is often red faced at training and in games, and this is as a result of you running so much and giving it your all. Well done Ethan.

Jacob – another player who has fantastic on the ball skills. Playing in a variety of positions, you did very well. We have to work on your confidence in shooting at goals but your ability to get around players and passing to team mates is excellent. You always attended training and worked very hard each week. I’m so glad you were injury free and we got watch you play each week. Keep up the good work Jacob.

Wes – we are so pleased that you came and joined the team at Eagles. From the outset you had to carry an injury to your back which restricted your training and game time. It was pleasing to see your resilience and motivation to battle against pain to play so well defensively with other backs. Like the rest of the team, you played an important role in getting us to the finals. Well done. I hope you come back and that you will be injury free so that you can have more enjoyment and excel even further.

Cameron – nice to see you out there again playing so well defensively. You even played in the midfield for a few games and did very well. Like our other backs, you perform a super important role , and you did so each week, shutting down many opposing attacks. You are a quiet but confident young man. So great watching you play and I look forward to you helping us achieve even greater results next year. Thanks Cam.

Mason – throughout the season you played many positions and continue to improve all the time. It was great to see you score again this season, and with more game time up front, I’m sure more will come. Thanks for putting in a great effort each week both at training and in the games. Keep up the good work, it’s definitely making a difference.

Finlay – you are also a very happy, polite young man and a pleasure to coach. I watched you again improve week to week, not only in you skills, but also in your level of fitness. Predominantly you have played in the backs, and you did so for most of the season. I asked you to step up and play in the midfield. You took up the challenge and gave 100% and did very well. Lovely to see. You again improved in your defensive skills but also in feeding the ball through to our attackers. Excellent work.

James Reid – great to see you out there playing well with the other backs. Great to see you attending training each week to help develop your skills which you certainly did. Your improvement each week was very clear and I hope you enjoyed playing out there with your team mates. I’d like to get your confidence up and develop your skills in playing in the midfield also. I have great confidence that we can achieve that together.

Josh – what a great season you had. You played backs, mids, and goal keeper! What a mix and you did so well in each of those positions. It was again, nice to see you improve in both your fitness and skills throughout the season. You read the game very well and you eye/ball contact is great. Thankyou for stepping up and playing in goals when required, and in particular, late notice, semi final match. It was a big ask and you did the best you could as always, making some great saves in the match. Well done.

Thomas – another new comer to the team. What a polite, happy young man you are. From the first training session, you pointed out areas you wanted help and development in. You always attended training and gave 100%. I watch you learn and improve each week and your confidence grew. As the season progressed, you played not only in the backs but up in mids and you did very well. Some particular games your were exceptional. Well done Tom!

James White – nice to see you come back to play soccer. Thanks for playing well in the backs but most importantly, up in the midfield in the later part of the season. You were nervous in making that change but I felt you improved each week and your confidence grew. To make the semi finals in such a tight tough comp shows how you were an important part of a great team that beat the best. Well done Whitey.

To make the finals in soccer is a huge achievement. For the boys to have done so in such a tough tight comp, is nothing short of amazing. Especially given the mix of players that we have in the team. Russell, Deb and I, and no doubt all those supporters the boys have, are extremely proud of their achievements.

I love coaching the boys and get so much satisfaction in just seeing them grow and develop each week. I have to give huge thanks to Russell for his assistance each week. I hope you enjoyed the role and all that comes with the job. You did a great job and I appreciated having your help.

Thanks very much to Tony Gerling for your help each week both at training and on game day. The boys were very fortunate to have another helping hand, and assistance with developing their play each week.

Enormous thanks to my wife Deborah, the Manager extraordinaire who works tirelessly behind the scenes each week. The list of tasks are too many to mention but I will say she does an amazing job. This role is in addition to being on the Committee and performing the huge Uniform officer role for the Club. Thankyou from all of us Deb.

Many thanks to all the families and other supporters that came and cheered the boys on each week. Thanks to those that helped with duty throughout the season. Russell, Deb and I greatly appreciate all your support and positive feedback. Many thanks for our awesome gifts. They are fantastic .

Bring on 2025 where I’m sure the boys will give us even more to cheer about.

Best wishes,

Coach Greg.