GOALS, wins and growth – and maybe some backflips.
That’s what newcomers to soccer hope to achieve when they compete in a regional soccer competition in Sunraysia this weekend.
Mildura is hosting the 2022 South Australian Junior Soccer Association Country Championships with more than 50 teams expected to compete.
Teams from as far as Port Lincoln, Adelaide, Broken Hill and Roxby Downs will meet at the Old Aerodrome Ovals, with footballers competing in mixed under-11s up to under-16 girls and boys categories.
Sunraysia will be represented by nine teams: one in each division but this year will feature two sides in the under-16 girls.
Tugce Say, who started playing football about seven months ago, features as one of several fresh faces to the sport pulling on a Sunraysia Green jersey in an under-16 development squad.
Say said while she had grown up in a soccer mad family, it was only recently that she realised she could play.
“My family, they’re the biggest soccer family ever,” Say said. “(But) I never had the confidence. I figured, why not try it.”
Olivia Cirillo, who began playing soccer four years ago, is one of the more experienced members of Sunraysia Green but said she remembered how it felt to be a newcomer to the sport.
“I do remember walking up the first time and being so nervous,” Cirillo said. “But you get into it after you meet all these people and have fun.”
Sunraysia Green coach Heather Stamation said hosting the championships provided a unique opportunity for the developing squad to get a taste of regional football.
“Travelling is a real thing for people,” she said. “Parents can’t afford to … take that time out. Because it’s held in Mildura, we’ve got the opportunity for them to participate.”
Stamation said she hoped the squad would have a “good experience” and lead to more growth in FFS’ senior women’s competition.
While the Green Sunraysia squad was not fancied to have ultimate success at the weekend, Stamation said she hoped girls would learn from their experience.
“My philosophy in coaching is to make decisions – to think about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it,” she said. “In football, and in life, really. Hopefully they’ll learn and be stronger.”
Say said she hoped Sunraysia Green could come home with some wins, while Cirillo said she hoped to see the team learn from the experience.
The pair said while no celebrations had been planned, the team may just celebrate should they score and win this weekend.
“This one person on our team the last time I played with her did a backflip when we scored a goal,” Cirillo said. “It was a good moment.”
There will be seven full-sized pitches and four half-sized pitches for the championships. Local soccer clubs will use the tournament to raise much-needed funds for their clubs by providing refreshments to the 850 plus players and their parents.
For more event information, visit sajsa.com.au.
