John Mitchell Speaks on the ANU Under 20 Elite Program and the Way Ahead

John Mitchell decided he would do something about the lack of developmental opportunities of young Football players Under 20 years in the ACT: post ACTAS and those who had not been selected for the AIS, or not made the jump into professional football after the AIS, or had not gained selection in and A League Youth Team.

This cohort of young players roughly covers the ages from 17 to 20 years of age. It was (and still is for that matter) as John has described it, "a tragic vacant space" (in terms of talented player development).

Capital football has introduced some modest initiatives to fill this space - an Under 17 HPP Summer squad and the Mens Summer 20's competition. The latter has been woefully under-subscribed by Premier League Clubs in 2010 (only five teams in 2010 and two from one Club - WVFC), which seems to reinforce John's observations on the current developmental environment in the ACT in this age bracket. The SUmmer 20s was (in 2009 and is (2010) a first rate initiative by CAPital Football, but what do you do if the PL clubs just don;t support it. What does it say about PL CLub attitudes to youth player development. In my view, quite a lot and little of it praiseworthy!

It is this second echelon of players, the ones who did not make it through first time around, that so often conceals a rich vien of talent - if only they could continue to be developed. Without it, not much happens. Such a waste! John Mitchell attempted to redress this situation through the ANU PL club. For that he gets full marks! But it was as he says "slim pickings" and as it turned out, a very hard road to travel. But then, it wasn;t really "club football" as the rest of the PL Clubs would see it to be.

John makes it very clear what it really means to coach to develop, as opposed to coach to win in the Club Premier League environment. Nevertheless, he has had his wins and positively influenced others in Football.

The ANUFC have withdrawn from the Premier League and with it has gone the ANU Under 20 Elite Program (and John Mitchell - for now). A really good idea that lasted two years. Its not been an easy two years, beset with difficulties, that started in late 2009 and continued into 2010, perhaps a few too many than was reasonable to expect, given the nature of the program.

John talks candidly of his experiences, with his customary sense of innovation and far sightedness, illustrating a remarkably good solution for the development of players between 17 to 20 in the ACT and linking the desire for an A league team in Canberra. You see he hasn't really given up on youth development. Just a bit battered and bruised. If that gives his detractors comfort, it is an unworthy thought.

John Mitchell challenges you to think, but it is hard not to miss the frustration and weariness of a passionate Football Coach, who for now, has reached his limit of endurance.

So sit back, cup of tea to hand and listen to Part 1 of this fascinating interview.

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Men's Premier League Grand Final Wrap Season 2010

The 2010 season has closed, all Men's grand finals in the Premier League concluded. Mission accomplished!
The celebrations for some continue on.... For the rest of us, there is always next season.

The team that won the grand final is pictured below and my wrap on the Men's Premier League Grand Finals (I saw all of them) follows. Some content sourced from Capital Football - well done Russ Gibbs, Media Liaison Officer for the very timely results updates on the CF website all season - it made a big difference.

Men's Premier League Grand Finals 2010
Men's PL 16
Canberra Olympic 4 (Yusef Kamara 13’, 16’, Danny Brice 36’, Michael Bornholt 84’) Woden Valley 2 (Petar Varga 7’, Darcy Crosthwaite 72’)


Two of the best young teams going around  they were a pleasure to watch each week. Congratulations to two very fine coaches.
Canberra Olympic: 1. Matteo Di Giannicola (gk), 2. Steve Tadic, 3. Michael Mauito, 4. Tom Tadic, 5. Daniel Giovinazzo, 6. Ben Plunkett, 7. Jeremy Habtemariam, 8. Yusef Kamara, 9. Josh Ratnam, 10. Billy Illeris, 11. Jock McDonnell, 12. Michael Bornholt, 13. Matt Murcutt, 16. Danny Brice, 17. Oli Brown

Woden Valley: 1. Rory Larkin (gk), 2. Sam Ossato, 3. Josh Calabria, 5. Josh Lind, 6. Jake Wilsener, 7. Regan Walsh, 8. Nathan Swientek, 9. Petar Varga, 10. Alex Popovich, 11. Josh Gregory, 12. Damiano Luzzi, 14. Darcy Crosthwaite, 15. Eliot Bassili, 16. Mohammed Al-Althari, 17. Jordan Tsekenis, 111. Andrew Ciszek

Men's PL18

Tuggeranong United 3 (Andrew Lawrence 73’, 86’, Sam Ramey 84’) Woden Valley 2 (Jonathan Kipnis 8’, Adrian Canizares 65’ (pen))

Tuggeranong United: 1. Callum Hogan (gk), 2. Jordan Carige, 4. Ian Gower, 5. Cameron Moutrey, 7. Andrew Lawrence, 9. Tristan Anderson (15. Sean Kiddey), 10. Cameron Doherty (6. Tim Dehelean), 11. Steven Klug, 12. Oscar Ignetik (3. Joe Campbell), 14. Michael Pritchard (8. Sam Ramey), 16. Jordan Lamb

Woden Valley: 1. Jacob Cole (gk), 2. Matthew Kocic, 3. Nic Connell, 4. Evan Dawson (Regan Walsh), 5. Matthew Salaysay, 7. Steven Lee, 8. Nick Kramer (16. Julien Renard), 10. Milenko Novakovic (9. Petar Varga), 11. Jonathan Kipnis, 14. Adrian Canizares, 15. Arden Law

Men's Premier League Pathways

Woden Valley 4 (Chris Ruiz 16’, Lachlan Nicholls 33’, Bensah Afiabo 61’, Gary Alexander 75’) Belconnen United 1 (Josh Sands 68’)

Woden Valley: 1. Elliott Duncan (gk), 3. Reece Vlazlovski (13. Ikenna Moneke), 4. Andrew Kiley (15. Steve Masters), 6. Chris Ruiz, 7. Lukas Cole, 9. Bensah Afiabo (2. Adrian Stroh), 10. Tom Hirst, 11. Jordyn Nayna, 12. Lachlan Nicholls, 14. Gary Alexander (8. Nick Tsakiris), 17. Grant Davoren
Belconnen United: 1. Keegan Jackson (gk), 2. Eamon Ritchie, 3. Glen Smith, 4. Joshua Shippley, 5. Sam Wynn, 6. Joel Sverdrupsen (14. Josh Sands), 7. Jason O’Dwyer (12. Matthew Phillips), 8. Michael Reeve, 9. Matthew Grayson (13. Lukasz Bednark), 10. Callum Smith, 11. Joshua Broekhuyse (16. John Colley)

Men's Premier League
Canberra FC 6 (Danai Gapare 2’, 45’, Adam Spaleta 9’, 63’, Matt Grbesa 18’, Alex Castro 37’) Belconnen United 0


Canberra FC: 18. Ben Klug (gk), 4. Marcin Zygmunt, 6. Alex Castro (12. Ian Graham), 7. Paul Ivanic (14. Josip Jadric), 8. Matt Grbesa, 10. Stephen Lee, 15. Danai Gapare, 17. Aidan Brunskill, 19. Adam Spaleta (3. Jordan Whittiker), 21. Victor Yanes, 22. Jon Ison
Belconnen United: 1. Rohan Shepherd (gk), 2. Matt Valeri (18. Jason O’Dwyer), 3. Dustin Wells, 5. Taylor Beaton, 6. Phil Borgeaud (4. Lee Pietrukowski), 7. Callum Beaton, 8. Cameron Reinhart, 10. Danny Macor, 11. David Kemp, 12. Jack Blackley (9. Tai Smith), 19. David Arranz

The Men's Grand Final follows..

The Mens grand finals were a mixed bag. The day ended in sensational fashion. Read on...

The Womens Premier League Grand Final Wrap for 2010

The 2010 season has closed, all Women's grand finals in the Premier League concluded. Mission accomplished!

The celebrations for some continue on....  For the rest of us, there is always next season.

The team that won the grand final is pictured below and my wrap on the Women's Premier League Grand Finals (I saw all of them) follows. Some content sourced from Capital Football - well done Russ Gibbs, Media Liaison Officer for the very timely results updates on the CF website all season - it made a big difference.

Women's Premier League Grand Finals

Women's PL 18
Belconnen United 5 (Brittany Tully 4’, Talia Backhouse 13’, 69’, Brittany Smale 44’, 81’) Woden Valley 2 (Meg McLaughlin 7’, 88’)

Belconnen United: 1. Tahlia Gash, 2. Tegan Taylor, 3. Grace Tosic, 4. Lianna Maddaffari, 5. Samantha Lazdovkis, 6. Jess Goyne, 7. Brittany Smale, 8. Madeleine D’Ambrosio, 9. Shiann Knight-Moore, 10. Brittany Tully, 11. Natalie De Marco, 12. Talia Backhouse, 13. Rebecca Richards, 14. Sarah Murcutt, 16. Chloe Gash, 18. Lauren Keir

Woden Valley: 1. Tatiana Curic, 2. Izzy Velzen, 3. Bronte Carlin, 4. Nida Mollinson, 5. Kadee Hollis, 6. Caitlin White, 7. Sophie Velzen, 8. Thembi Compton, 9. Meg McLaughlin, 10. Brittany Palombi, 11. Courtney Allen, 12. Nia Southwell, 13. Morgan McGown, 14. Rachael Goldstein, 15. Jaline Hoek, 16. Amy McLachlan, 17. Rhianna Goldstein

Women's Premier League Reserves

Belwest Foxes 1 (Gemma Matheson 79’) Belconnen United 0

Belwest Foxes: 1. Melanie Luksa, 2. Claire Hill, 4. Lara Weston-Indrascott (9. Ping Saengmany), 5. Vanessa Burdett, 6. Stephanie Trimble, 7. Cassie Rankine, 8. Gemma Matheson (3. Elizabeth Dernee), 11. Emma Gillies (12. Alysha Bowman), 13. Aniko Berguno, 15. Samantha Price, 16. Claire Johnson

Belconnen United: 1. Jocelyn Mara, 2. Sabrynka Zawartko, 3. Bianka Jagarinec, 4. Emma Heaney, 5. Ellie Weston, 6. Caitlin Taylor (14. Kiley Green), 7. Jordan Buchanan, 8. Vanessa Cordett (12. Talia Collins), 9. Danielle Donne (15. Sabrina Spinapolice), 10. Tayla Zanotto (13. Rose Tickner), 11. Sarah Tutt

Women's Premier League
Belwest Foxes 3 (Snez Veljanovska 30’, Cian Maciejewski 45’, Hope Wilkins 73’) Woden Valley 5 (Erin Frewin 2’, Georgia Yeoman-Dale 23’, 56’, 8’ (pen), Ashleigh Palombi 29’)

Belwest Foxes: 1. Melanie Luksa, 2. Kim Crocker (4. Erika Pennyfield), 3. Cian Maciejewski, 5. Hope Wilkins, 6. Katrina Staniforth, 9. Shahreen Goodrick (16. Stephanie Trimble), 10. Snez Veljanovska, 11. Lucy Hanrahan, 13. Julia Hoy, 15. Elizabeth Pearson (14. Sam Price), 18. Hayley Buckingham

Woden Valley: 1. Gill Raymond, 4. Stephanie Coates, 5. Jen Walsh (12. Grace Field, 17. Haley Hinde), 6. Erin Frewin, 7. Sally Rojahn, 8. Isabella Boag-Taylor, 10. Ashleigh Palombi (3. Ellen Kromar), 11. Georgia Yeoman-Dale, 13. Emma Thornton, 14. Krista Hagen, 15. Catherine Brown

The NPL Grand Final wrap follows:

The Womens grand finals were played at Hawker on Sunday. Not one game disappointed with all teams playing in good style, a wonderful atmosphere at Hawker and near perfect weather. What a great day! Read on...

Mens Premier League Results 2010 - Round 13

Round 13

Tuggeranong United 1 (Mark Shields) Belconnen United 5 (Tai Smith (2), Danny Macor, Cameron Reinhart, David Kemp) v Canberra FC 1 (Matt Grbesa 90’) Monaro Panthers 1 (Goran Veljanovski 85’)
ANU FC 1 (Tom Rogic 67’) Woden Valley 5 (Lukas Cole 4’, Carlos Salazar 7’, 70’, Daryll Hall 69’, Bensah Afiabo 79’)
Cooma Tigers 5 (Marcial Munoz 6’, Serdan Bircan 31’, 71’, Adrian Labutte 36’, 65’) Goulburn Strikers 0
Canberra City 6 (Obi Shadmaan 19’, Misko Naumoski 21’, 68’, David Dexter 35’, Pat Ross-Magee 77’ 90+1’) Canberra Olympic 2 (Oliver Wiederkehr 6’, Domenic Giampaolo 13’)

Coach of Tuggeranong United FC Premier League Talks About The Victory Over Belconnen United FC

Oh happy days at Tuggeranong United FC!

They defeated Belconnen United FC and that's something not too many do in a season - in several seasons.

Darren Viskovic is a very astute Football coach. If any club had a hard start to the season, TUFC is the one. Darren perserved, as did the players through a miserable Federation Cup, heeded the lessons learned and got started again in the PL Competition. They have been getting better every game. Some team was going to loose points to them, sooner rather than later and it happened last weekend. Darren reckons it was as good as winning a World Cup Final - spot on!

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President Goulburn Strikers and Head Coach Belconnen United Talk about the Thriller at Cookbundoon

Its terrific when important people in Football in our region are prepared to share their thoughts about the game.

Shane Wilson and Scott Colon are always willing to make themselves to us all through the NPL. Both are straight shooters!

This game was probably deserving of a centre piece article in the Canaberra Times. You venture to Cookbundoon and McKellar at your peril and you had better bring your "A" grade game to the ground! We'll all here more of these two teams in 2010 - both hghly competitive and splendly different in character.

This game was one in the 93rd minute of play. Doesn't get much closer than that.

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A Thriller AT Cookbundoon, No Thriller At O'Connor Enclosed, Woden Valley SC Under 15 Boys Tour Germany

This program was broadcast Tuesday, 11 May 2010 at 7:00PM on 2xxfm, 98.3mhz ont he Australian Community Radio Network.

In this program we capture some of the drama of Round 4 of the Mens Premier League. Must have been something in the air last weekend!

The Head Coach of Belconnen, Scott Conlon and President of Goulburn Strikers, Shane Wilson give their thoughts on the thriller at Cookbundoon.

The President of the Monaro Panthers expresses his disappointment at the failure to play the scheduled Premier League game against ANU and rejection of the suggestion in the Canberra Times that his club did forfiet the game.

The Woden Valley SC Under 15 Div 1 boys team is off on a football tour in Germany. Its been years in the planning and fundraising. Every Club should do this every year.

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NPL Report to the Farpost on the Goulburn Strikers FCv Woden Valley FC Round 2 Fixture

When we can the Nearpost Local provides a sideline report on the PL games being played by Woden Valley FC. Only fair, its the Club I follow.

It was a good day at Cookbundoon and Goulburn Strikers are fine hosts. Pleasure to travel to play them. The place has a real good feel to it.

Woden Valley FC played Goulburn Strikers FC at Cookbundoon on Sunday 18 April 2010. Not a happy day for the Woden Valler PL team, they got thumped, 6:0. The Woden Valley PL16, PL18 were triumphant with utterley dominant performances (14:0 and 12:0 respectively). The Woden Valley PPL came home comfortably with a 3-1 win.
 
So the Championship points went to Woden Valley, but as we all know, its importnant to have a successful PL team. Given the strong performance against a formidable Belconnen United the week before, there was every reason to anticipate a strong performance by Woden Valley againt the Strikers. Alas, Woden got struck!

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