The bus was waiting for the team at Londonderry Reserve next to Girton. One by one they arrived: Christian, Penny, Matthew, Patrick, Henry, Charlotte and Sebastian. We had seven eager and excited players not knowing what to expect. We left Bendigo at 7.45am.
The players were informed to take this game as an experience and not to dwell on the final score or result. The team was made up of 3 ten year olds, 1 eleven year old, 2 twelve year olds and 1 thirteen year old. Therefore a very young team! As always when there is an age discrepancy there is also a height and size discrepancy.
The bus was buzzing, we arrived at Mont Albert at 10.00am, but we did pit stop at Calder Park for 10 minutes. We quickly unloaded the bus and headed to the visitor’s dressing rooms. The day was very sunny and pleasant. Thanks to the parents: Cindy, Greg, Mark Jo and Matt, that came and assisted the children before, during and after the game.
The Bendigo players suited up with tops, helmet and gloves, while both Coaches finalised rules. It was decided that it was going to be eight a side: a goalie, 2 defenders, 3 midfielders and 2 forwards. Surrey Park was kind enough to loan one of their players to be our goalie. Teams lined up opposite each other on the ground for instructions from the referees. It was U13 rules which was similar to U11 that Bendigo plays during it competitions but the differences were: you could physically push a person, 15 minute quarters and you could have more than one person to the ball. There was still no stick checking. Oops, as the Bendigo coach was teaching his players to stick check!
The game started with a face-off, it was on. The Surrey Park players had size and height, which portrayed an imposing sight. Bendigo players (and even the Coach and parents) seemed overwhelmed before the game. However, the centre was won by Bendigo and they were off. They had the speed and nous to play smart lacrosse and maximise their strength and minimise their weakness. It was an even tussle with a Surrey Park shooting the last goal for the quarter with 10 second to go. The quarter finished with Surrey Park 5 to Bendigo 4.
The Bendigo players were rotated regularly, especially midfielders. Penny played mainly in defence and Charlotte played mainly in attack, everyone else played in every position except goalie. The players were breathing heavily but seem to be surprising happy with their effects considering the opposition. So was the coach and parents!
The second quarter was much the same, Bendigo winning the centre face-offs but Surrey Park scooping up mistakes made by Bendigo and having shots on goal. The children were getting tried. The Surrey team score 5 goals to 3 in that quarter to be 3 ahead on the scoreboard.
It was getting a bit more physical due to the Bendigo players displaying their skills and desperation. The Bendigo team out ran, thought and backed up fellow players more than their counter parts.
Third quarter was a tight affair however Surrey scored 3 goals to Bendigo’s 2. The final quarter also went to Surrey with 3 goals to 1. The final score was 16 to 10.
As explained to the Bendigo player prior to the game it is not able the result or score it is the experience gain by the game. The Surrey Park Coach spoke at the end of the game and thanked Bendigo for coming. He informed everyone that Surrey’s teams are currently 1st and 3rd in the U13 Lacrosse Victoria’s competition and that Bendigo performed outstandingly considering it was their first ever game of U13 Lacrosse. He continued by saying that most of the Surrey Parks players have been playing U13 for at least 1 if not 2 years prior to this year.
The teams shook hands and a group photo was snapped. The Bendigo players went to the dressing rooms to change and return to Bendigo. The Coach was on high and offered every player a happy meal at Calder Park. He was so pleased with everyone performance.
It was a great day for all: players, parents and coach.
Bendigo 10 lost to Surrey Park 16
Goals:3 M Saxon, C Iuliano, 2 P Byrne, 1 P Stott, S O’Sullivan
Asissts:4 M Saxon, 3 P Bryne, 1 P Stott, C Iuliano
MVP: S O’Sullivan, P Byrne, M Saxon
PS Bendigo has now received a grant for $3000 to purchase more helmets, gloves and armguards to develop a U13 competition in Bendigo. The sky is the limit.
Gino Iuliano
Proud Coach!
Last Modified on 30/05/2016 09:54