Although U19/18s football is in decline in local footy leagues across the board and 2015 saw many "established" suburban clubs unable to field or ended up folding their U19s, our club managed to keep our 19s playing for footy for the entire season (with the exception of one game against Mitcham).
Our boys showed enormous courage turning up week after week taking on much stronger teams, with full 24 player squads. Most games we played with 16-18 players. One particular game against top team Boronia, we only had 14 players. I asked the boys if they wanted to forfeit or play. Amazingly, knowing full well they were looking down the barrel of a massive loss, the boys said forfeiting is not an option, we're playing!
This is the very spirit that as a coach, I'm trying to find in these young men. It's very easy to turn up every week when you’re playing in a top team that wins most games, it takes something special to do what our boys did for the Silvan Football Cub this year. They just never gave up on each other, or our club!
I'd like to highlight the loyalty shown to me by firstly our captain Neal Macaulay, Cameron Bisschop, Tim Sugumar, Rhys Lloyd, Tristan Williams, Nathan Colgan, Luke Williams, Tim Martin and Tom Hore. These guys pretty much played every game and kept the team together when at times, all look lost.
Also to our B&F winner Brayden Bowes. Whilst he only played 6 games due to senior commitments, he was always there helping out where he could.
Big thanks again to Timmy Thornhill for his role as team manager, couldn't do it without ya mate!
Assistant Coach, Blair Neill (Blairos) and runner Cam Innazzone (Hot)
Also our trainers, Bunta, Lizzy and Darren. boundary umpire, Tyson Bissells, goal umpires (many) and water boy Sasha Innazzone.
And of course our superb camera man, Steve Smith!
And to all the boys who played for us this year, thank you, your contribution, large or small has enabled us to play U19 footy for Silvan in 2015.
The big positive is the increasingly stronger association our club has with junior club, St Simons. We have many Silvan people involved with the Knights, and from all reports making big impressions. We hope to see a steady flow of U19 players coming from St Simons after they finish at the U17 level in the future.
With the league looking at ways to grade the U19s competition, this will create a more even playing field for all players’ abilities, I'm sure Silvan will continue to field our U19 team year after year.
Chris Maclagan
U19s Coach
Last Modified on 15/11/2015 17:39