A Whittlesea under-10 soccer team was among the title winners at what’s claimed to be the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest junior soccer tournament.
The Kanga Cup, contested earlier this month in Canberra during the second week of the school holidays, had more than 340 teams and 7000 children competing in the tournament’s 25th year.
For the first time, the Ranges entered a team, with its side having been one of 16 teams in the under-10s male plate section.
The plate section was the middle of the three under-10 competitions, which were based on different skill levels. There are male and female sections from under-9s to under-18s.
Ranges coach Fortch Renda said they had decided to enter the plate section as they were unsure what level the team was at compared with the rest of the Kanga Cup entrants.
The Whittlesea under-10 team plays in the Kangaroos under-10 north-west competition.
“We decided in March to enter and all the parents of the kids got leave so it could happen,” Renda said.
“We’re the only team from the Ranges that entered … we thought it was a good experience to have a week away playing soccer.”
The Ranges won their three pool games without conceding a goal.
“We’ve been preparing since March using the local competition and have trained to handle different conditions and teams,” Renda said. “There was a huge amount of faith and confidence.”
The Ranges won their first knockout round match 3-1 against Wanniassa before defeating Northbridge 3-2 in a semi-final.
They defeated Balmain DFC 5-0 in the final.
The Ranges led 1-0 at half-time before going on a goalscoring spree that earned them the title.
“The kids were over the moon,” Renda said. “They were running around and jumping on each other.
“It will remain with them for the rest of their lives.”
Renda says everyone involved is already talking about returning next year.
Half of this year’s squad were under-9s, making the Ranges one of the younger sides in their competition.
“Our goal is to stay together for a number of years,” Renda said.
“The feedback and support have been amazing and we already have plans for under-9s and under-10s to play in the tournament next year.”
