Six East Gippsland United (EGUFC) players have been selected to represent squad teams in Melbourne Metro League and Victorian squads in 2014.Under 14 players Bridget Crowe, Zeb McLeod, Will Park, Connor Andrews, Isaac Boulton and Adam Dunkley, have all been successful in achieving selection into squad teams outside their local football club, with Bridget and Adam currently entrenched in Victorian state squads headed for the National Youth Championships later this year in Coffs Harbour.

All of the successful EGUFC players were selected from large groups of players participating in tryouts, which have been held in Melbourne and the Latrobe Valley. EGUFC has a group of players that has taken an important step towards success on the long road to achieving their dreams.

Eagles under 14 coach Glenn McLeod said the inclusion of players into squad teams shows the talent within East Gippsland is on a par with the best in the state. “It is a clear indication that the club is succeeding with the development of young players and with its aim of getting talented players through to the next step in their football development,” McLeod said.

“These young players have all shown a high level of commitment to their development and are now starting to see the benefits of the hard work they have put in over the past four years at club level football.”
Adam was called on by Warragul United at the start of the season to join its under 14 squad to play in the metro league.

Adam has also been successful in making it through to the top 20 country Victorian under 14 boys selected for further training and possible selection into a group of 16 players to compete in the National Youth Championships later this year. “We had three sets of tryout sessions and they were all three weeks apart,” Adam said. “The first one everyone stayed in (the squad), the second one they made a cut of about 30 and the last cut was down to the last 22.” Adam started playing soccer a few years ago when friends introduced him to indoor and then outdoor. He said he enjoyed the social atmosphere of playing with friends, and also the team aspects in reaching goals.

“One of my friends introduced it to me when I was bout nine or 10. I played indoor as a start because that’s a good way to start playing soccer and then I had a go at outdoor and it was pretty fun so I kept doing it.
“I enjoy playing with friends, having a good time and the teamwork part of it and trying to win games.”
Despite being in the infancy of his soccer career, Adam hopes he can develop his game and reach the highest level. “I kind of want to play in the A League or somewhere around there and even go further if I can,” he said.

Bridget also succeeded in her attempt to make it into the top 20 girls for country Victoria. She is poised to be selected as one of the 16 players to make the under 13 girls’ squad and is hopeful to be chosen in the final group to play in the National Youth Championships. Like Adam, Bridget began playing soccer indoors before adapting to the outdoor format. Having spent little time on the outdoor soccer field, Bridget said having three older brothers who have played has aided her development.

“I started indoor soccer when I was about eight and I’ve done that since and I started outdoor soccer when I was 12,” she said. “I have three older brothers and they al- ways played it so I kind of just tagged along and then I really enjoyed it so I just kept playing it.”It’s been a rapid rise for Bridget. Joining the state squad has thrown up its challenges, however she has grasped the opportunities with both hands, or in this case, with both feet.“It was harder than I thought, we train for like five hours,” Bridget said.“It’s a step up from playing in this competition, but I enjoy the challenge, it makes you a better player.”

Zeb, Will, Connor and Isaac have all been selected to play for the Gippsland Soccer League’s under 13 squad, competing in the Melbourne Metro League. Isaac said representing the entire Gippsland Soccer League in the Melbourne Metro League is difficult.The players train two times a week in Morwell as well as training with East Gippsland United and playing in Melbourne regularly against fierce opposition.

“It’s a lot harder because the other teams are better trained than the teams around here, they go in a lot harder and are better players,” Isaac said. 

Gippsland Soccer League has a long-term plan for the development of these players, which involves the inclusion of GSL squads into the National Premier League (NPL) within the next 2-3 seasons.
The NPL has been developed by Football Federation Australia as the pathway into the A League competition.
McLeod said EGUFC is very proud of these young players and acknowledges the hard work and dedication required to progress towards an elite level at such a young age.

“Parents should be acknowledged for the commitment they give to the kids through tryouts and the ongoing support required for attending training and competitions throughout the year,” he said. “There will be some long hours spent on the road and many kilometres travelled during the course of these competitions.
“We would like to wish these players the very best of luck in their respective squads and hope that dreams do come true in the future.”