GEELONG’S Junior representative players came away from an extremely successful Victorian Country Championships campaign in Gippsland on the weekend with a string of scintillating on field performances, but also some invaluable off field experiences and memories that will last them a lifetime.

PHOTO: A group snap of the Geelong U11 (North) and U11 (South) teams before the U11 Grand Final on Monday (Photo: Evra Photography)

The undoubted highlight of the long weekend event was the Boys’ U11 Grand Final which saw both Geelong teams pitted against each other in the tournament decider. In the end, the highly impressive Geelong U11 North team capped off a great weekend of football by beating Geelong U11 South in the final 2-0.

The team of talented youngsters, coached by Ante Stosic, showed their total dominance by going through the entire tournament not only undefeated, but not conceding a single goal in six matches!

According to GOFC co-director Mike Chapman, who along with his fellow co-director Pete Bradley managed the entire Geelong rep corps – which included seven Boys’ teams and two Girls’ teams – it was great to have both teams competing for the title.

“It was a great final, some good football played and excellently supported by both sets of parents. A true example of how the game should be played. All the boys can hold their heads up high with what they've achieved not only to get here, but also to make the final. Well done!” Chapman said.

The U15s, coached by Colin Paton and Steve Bogdanovski, also went through the tournament undefeated, triumphing over regional heavyweight Albury-Wodonga 1-0 in the Final.

The Boys’ U12s (2-3), U13s (0-1) and U14s (1-5) teams all managed to advance through to the Grand Finals of their respective age divisions, but lost to the tough Albury-Wodonga rep teams in each of their games.

Nonetheless, Pete Bradley was extremely pleased with the overall performance of all the teams.

“Apart from the results we collectively achieved, it was the style of football and the desire to play through defence/midfield/attack whist utilising the wide players, which was the most pleasing thing. 

“Overall, the results were great but the football which was played throughout the weekend and the kids’ willingness to play controlled football was even better. A real credit to the coaches and the kids for this,” he added.

“We have had some great feedback from other areas about the region, both on and off the pitch, so thank you to everyone involved for that.

“We would like to encourage all local based community players (boys and girls) to trial for next year’s event, which will be held in Shepparton,”concluded Pete Bradley.

- RESULTS (POOL PHASE):

U12 Girls

5^th - 1 win, 1 Draw, 3 losses

U16 Girls

6^th - 1 win, 4 losses

U11 Boys (North)

1^st - 5 wins, no losses

U11 Boys (South)

2nd  - 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses

U12 Boys

2^nd – 4 wins, 1 loss

U13 Boys

2^nd - 2 wins, 2 draws

U 14 Boys

2nd – 4 wins, 2 losses

U15 Boys

1^st – 4 wins, no losses

U16 Boys

3^rd – 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss

RESULTS - FINALS:

U11 Boys (North) defeated U11 (South) 2-0

U12 Boys - Lost to AWFA (Albury Wodonga FA) 2-3

U13 Boys - Lost to AWFA 0-1

U14 Boys - Lost to AWFA 1-5

U15 Boys - Defeated AWFA 1-0