School Sport Australia Under 12 Football Championship

This report is provided by NPL roving reporter, Simon Kravis. It's a bit late but don't blame Simon, I got it some time ago and seem to have lost the original somewhere on the Blogsite. Simon came to the rescue with another copy. So better later than never - it is a very comprehensive report and contains some terrific information.


School Sport Australia Under 12 Football Championship

Nelson Bay, NSW 29 Aug -3 Sep 2010

The legendary Eric Cantona once said that what he liked about English football was the passion that surrounded it and the way that it was played from end to end at a hundred miles per hour. All of these qualities were very much in evidence at this year’s School Sport Australia Under 12 Football championship, held at the Toomaree Sports Complex near Nelson Bay, just north of Newcastle in NSW between Mon 29 August and Friday 2 September. Boys and girls teams from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory took part. Boys and girls matches between the same regions followed each other in the initial stage of the competition, and a round-robin between the top and bottom three teams followed.

The qualities that so enthused Eric Cantona were most evident in the Boys competition and resulted in some enthralling games. There was no stroking the ball between defenders waiting for the other team to over-commit or make an error, no leisurely strolls of substitutes onto the field to wind down the clock, and minimal simulation or any other vices found at the higher levels of the game. Movements forward were always at top speed. Mistakes were common but as soon as they occurred the players would try to rectify them, seldom pausing for regret or frustration.

The benchmark for Under 12 boys football in Australia was set by the team from Singok Primary School in Korea in the 2008 Kanga Cup, where they would probably have won the Under 13 competition with their exceptional individual and team skills. They would have prevailed against any of the teams in the SSA competition this year, but would have had to have worked much harder – playing standards seem to be improving across the board.

Refereeing was of a high standard, with rough play quickly penalized and seldom occurring. As well as a canteen, there were coffee and fresh fruit stalls, both of which seemed to do excellent business, and smoking was banned around the pitches. Accommodation was organised individually for the ACT team but was easily available at Nelson Bay or other towns in the Port Stephens area close to the venue.

The tournament unfolded for the ACT teams as follows.

What Happens When Your Child Is Assaulted And Injured In A School Football Game In The ACT??

What Happens When Your Child Is Assaulted And Injured In A School Football Game In The ACT??

A parent and several young players who play for a Premier League Club in the ACT told a frightening Football story at training last week. It’s a very worrying story on Junior Football for every parent with a child playing Football in the ACT, particularly when they play in schools sports Football tournaments / fixtures. This one seems a long way from resolved.

Apparently there was a School's Football tournament last week in the ACT. The players represent their school and in ordinary way of Football you would think it would be a fun thing to do.

Until something goes very, very wrong!

A young player was "king hit" by another player and sent off. The alleged offender is said to be an ACTAS squad player. Both players were registered with the FFA and participate in Capital Football competitions / fixtures. The Referee's report has been provided to the father of the victim, confirms the send off for "violent conduct" and would appear to warrant substantial disciplinary action.

But by whom? Not a question you usually ask in football.

If this were a weekend Capital Football round game, the League Manager would have already taken action. It’s a “no brainer”!