ACT Under 13 Boys Commence their Nationals Campaign

Following the very commendable performance by the ACT Under 13 Girls, the ACt Under 13 Boys now get their chance to be as good as they can be.

Make no mistake, this is a very tough competition. Two games a day really takes it out of the boys. There is a lot of pressure at Nationals.

The ACT Team is placed in Group B which includes:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales Country
• New South Wales Metro 2
• Northern Territory
• Tasmania
• Victoria Country

 The draw for the ACT team is follows:

THURSDAY, 8 April 2010
0845 Field 2 (Group B) New South Wales Metro 2 2 v 0 Australian Capital Territory
1345 Field 2 (Group B) Australian Capital Territory 0 v 0 New South Wales Country

FRIDAY, 9 April 2010
0945 Field 2 (Group B) Northern Territory v Australian Capital Territory
1345 Field 2 (Group B) Australian Capital Territory v Victoria Country

SATURDAY, 10 April 2010
1045 Field 2 (Group B) Australian Capital Territory v Tasmania
1345 Field 2  Group B First Place Team v Group B All Stars

For all the details go to:
http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/site/njc_boys_2010.php


Impressions of the ACT effort so far:

The NSW Metro team that the ACT encountered in the first match today is a team that is simply a cut above our best efforts in all aspects of the game. In fact, they are so strong, numerous people remarked that the seeding of the teams into Groups got the wrong NSW Metro teams in the wrong Groups. I agree!
So we met a remarkably polished outfit - a very stern test on Day One, Match One of the Championships. The ACT team did not discredit itself, they played their opponents with vigour and at times were threatening. The pleasing conclusion for me after Day one is that the ACT Under 13 team in 2010 is a significant  improvement on the 2009 performance.

The ACT team played out from the back with determination - a big well done! They attempted to keep possession and declined the temptation to kick it long. Its not easy. Their general manner and demeanour on the field of play did them credit and that to is a pleasing advance on 2009.

The second match was a very scrappy affair. Not good to watch from a "technical perspective". Of concern to some that watched the ACT team, was the impression that the performance did not make a discernable advance on the previous game, score notwithstanding. Too many errors (far too many unforced) and an unacceptably high turn over of the ball, slow in moving the ball and curiously, a very small number of players who simply did not seem to expend sufficient energy to make a difference. And yet, it was again, a much improved performance on the 2009 efforts.

Ahead lies encounters with the Northern Territory and Country Victoria. Leaving aside winning, a full effort by all on the field of play, a reduction in personal error rates and a little less lingering on the ball(touches!) should see the ACT make further progress - and that really is important.

Any parent with a child playing in the U11, U12, U13 age groups in the ACT, who is keen to do well in football, should try to get to game in either Group. Its a wonderful reality check for all of us. The ACT U13 Boys are playing some very capable teams and some extravangantly talented young players. Helps you get a real world pciture of where your boy is in the scheme of things right now.