MEMBERS of Sunraysia’s under-18 representative soccer team has the qualities required to play at a higher level.
That’s according to coach and Football Federation Sunraysia junior representative coordinator George Moraitis, ahead of this weekend’s Victorian Country League Junior Championships in Ballarat.
Each long weekend in June, youngsters from Sunraysia clubs come together to represent the region across a number of age groups.
Alongside the Under 18s, boys will have four other teams from Under 12 to Under 15 level, while girls teams at Under 14 and 18 level will also take on the best the state has to offer.
Moraitis coached the majority of the Under 18 squad when they won last year’s Under 16 title in Geelong, and believes they have a strong chance again in the next age group.
“We’ve still got about four players from last year’s Under 18 side in there as well which certainly strengthens the 17s group we have making the step up,” he said.
“They’ve been together since they were 10 years old playing rep soccer, and 90 per cent of them have played senior soccer in some capacity.
“The experience against men I think has helped their development and the quality of the game up here as also added to that.
“It’s a very well-balanced side all over. If one of them doesn’t get you, the next one will and I think that’s what makes them such a tough team to line-up against.
“I think every player in this team has the potential to play at NPL level, they have the foundation to do that but it will obviously be up to them and the amount of work they want to put in.”
Moraitis added that representative opportunities are important for the next generation of local senior players.
“It’s obviously something the kids enjoy but also something the parents get a lot out of, too,” he said.
“Playing alongside those from other clubs I think also brings a unity that is really beneficial for all clubs in Sunraysia when they come back to compete at club level.
“Winning isn’t the biggest thing this weekend, but it’s experience of playing together and bringing that back with them.
“I think having these opportunities means kids are keen to stay in the game for longer. They can see that there are more opportunities outside of just playing in Sunraysia.”
The Victorian Country League Junior Championships are in Ballarat on Saturday and Sunday.
