The 2026 season saw some old friends leave us and new friends join the team. As is the spirit of these boys, those new teammates were welcomed with open arms, and new friendships were quickly formed.

With new friendships came new ways of learning to play together. The boys worked hard through pre-season and were ready when the first whistle of the season blew.

The 2026 season was certainly a rollercoaster — filled with highs, lows and everything in between. Injuries and illness challenged us at inconvenient times, but they also taught the boys to dig deep, keep going and support one another when things got tough.

And then there were the victories.

When everything clicked, it was truly something special to watch. Fast passing, precision play, exceptional goals and a defence that seemed almost impossible to break through. There were moments when we stood on the sidelines and watched this team become exactly what we knew they could be — united, determined and fearless.

Those moments were a reflection of everything they had poured into the game: the training sessions, the sore muscles, and the blood, sweat and tears. They showed us what can happen when talent meets hard work.

But football, like life, isn’t only about the wins.

This season also brought losses — something this team had not experienced a great deal of before. And while those days were difficult, they may have been some of the most valuable lessons of the entire year.

Because losing teaches you things winning never can.

It teaches you how to keep fighting when hope feels low.
How to pick yourself up when things don’t go your way.
How to stand beside your teammates when they need you most.
And how to hold your head high, knowing that you gave everything you had and played with courage, respect and integrity.

Week after week, these boys showed true sportsmanship both on and off the field. They worked hard at training, played hard on game day and, most importantly, showed up for each other.

And somewhere along the way, we realised we weren’t just watching them become better footballers — we were watching them become outstanding young men.

It may not have been the season we hoped for, but it has given us some wonderful football, friendships that will last far beyond the field, plenty of laughs, a few tears, a lot of Deep Heat and more lollies than a lolly factory!

To our amazing parents, grandparents, families and fan club — thank you for showing up every week, cheering from the sidelines and supporting these boys through every high and low. Your encouragement means more than they know.

And finally, to the boys.

We couldn’t be prouder of you.

Keep playing with heart. Keep backing each other. Keep working hard. Keep laughing. Keep learning. And, above all, keep being the kind of teammates and young men you have shown us you can be.

Because, as Ted Lasso so perfectly put it:

“Success is not about the wins and losses. It’s about helping these young fellas be the best versions of themselves on and off the field.”

And perhaps that is the greatest success of all.

Thank you, boys, for a wonderful year of football, friendship, resilience, laughter and memories that we will carry long after the final whistle.

We are incredibly proud of you.

Henry, Tim & Shelley