2020 was a mixed bag with a disruptive pre-season and uncertainty of whether we would actually play a single game.

Firstly, on behalf of our whole team, including parents and helpers, I would like to congratulate the appropriate committee members that worked tirelessly around the clock to give our club the best possible chance at being compliant with rules so as our kids could ultimately play a season of football. You guys did a great job!

Engadine Eagles 8A’s you all did myself and your parents proud by the way you all played each game with passion and in the best spirit of how the game is supposed to be played.

It was a challenging year for all, considering the step up from the small field with the introduction of the forever unwanted task of having to take turns as Goalkeeper.

A slowish start, but we soon found our way by only losing a couple of games early to then playing exciting football and notching up our first of many wins. We even managed to keep a team that has been undefeated in 4 years, to a draw.

Our team welcomed 3 new players this season; CJ7 from the other club up the road, KA3 from within the Eagles and MF1, from League as a rookie.

These guys slotted in without a hiccup and became important additions to the existing 7a’s from the previous year.

Once settled our boys started implementing what they were learning at training and started figuring out each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and to my surprise started taking it upon themselves to help when help was needed and stay clear when needed.

This was awesome to watch and our team was starting to get stronger as a team. I promised the boys and a their parents they would become better football players as well as better kids, and I couldn’t have been more right.

I put together a few things I could remember about the boys, the first thing is they worked me out pretty early with the goalkeeper thing. I had the plan if you played in goal for a half, you would play the whole other half.

Not one of them complained when it was their turn in goal… Some even offered up extra turns.

Here’s how I’ll remember this year:

Best new Talent CJ7

Best new Signing KA3

Rookie of the Year MF1

Golden Boot RL10

Goal of the Year ZF2

Roy Keane Award DF9

People’s Choice Award CN5

Most improved Award OJ4

Most Consistent Award CK8

Well done boys thanks for putting up with me and I hope to see you all next year.

BL