Northern Suburbs Junior Men's Hockey Newsletter

2004 #12

Thursday 27^th of May 2004

Events Calender

Last Weekend Results (22^nd and 23^rd of May)

Next Games (29^th and 30^th of May)

Please note that the Under 15's have a double header!!

Match Reports

Norths Under 11 Report Saturday 22^nd of May 2004

For our first game on the artificial turf we competed very well. Not only did we match it with our opposition Commercial, we tested their deep defence on several occasions.

Turf is quite different, the ball runs very fast and if you don’t pass it to your team mate, it just keeps on going. Our defence was tested early but we again showed our strength down the back with Anthony, Mitchell D, Tom, Mitchell T, Dan and Josh all doing their job well.

Later in the half our midfield of Luke, Drew and James started to get more involved. We took the ball up to our opposition and forced penalty corners and a shot on goal (Drew was unlucky not to score). We were very close to cracking it in attack with Matty, Cosmo, Alexe and Isaac all getting involved. Isaac in particular made some very good runs in attack.

Best on ground for us were:

3 – Luke (showed excellent skill and speed).

2 - Isaac (was dangerous in attack with the ball).

1 – Dan (made some good tackles and passes).

For 2 weeks in a row now we’ve played for the full 60 minutes (well 59 minutes actually). We need to concentrate once we go back on the field for the second half (I think some of us were watching the big cruise ship on the river).

Our hitting and trapping improved as the game progressed and we got used to the turf. We will continue to work on our basics this week, as well as dragging the ball right and running around players.

I am very happy with our effort on the field, and that we keep trying. Another much improved effort kids, keep up the hard work and remember - practice down the back yard.

Wayne Tucker

Under 11 Coach

Norths Under 11 Report Saturday 23 May 2004

Double headers are tough, but they’re even tougher when you have 6 regulars missing from the team. With Callum filling in from the under 9’s, we took to the field with 9 players against South West United. This was a really big ask of the kids to play without any wingers.

The team instructions were to try and play with the ball so we don’t have to chase our opposition all day. And first half we did this really well. Luke, James, Drew and Cosmo played strongly in the midfield and put their defence under pressure. We again had some corners and got into their circle, remember this is with 2 players short.

Even though we were down 1 nil at half time, this was a fantastic effort from the kids. Second half we played well for the first 10 minutes with Luke scoring from a penalty corner pass by James – well done boys.

Unfortunately fatigue set in and we were very tired which was understandable, and they ran in a few goals.

Best on ground for us were:

3 – James (took on the opposition and got around them more often than not).

2 - Anthony (showed his keeping talents once again).

1 – Josh (did plenty of running and hit the ball well).

For the first 40 minutes we competed with our opposition and played very well. We now know we can match it with any opposition we play against and I expect us to continue to improve each week we play.

Our defensive unit of Anthony, Tom, Dan and Josh were excellent and Callum played a very good first under 11 game. You’re welcome to join us anytime Callum.

I was very proud of our weekends effort kids. The respect you continue to show Gary and I as well as each other is part of what makes a good team. Let’s keep working hard together and see where we get to. I can feel a win just around the corner.

Wayne Tucker

Under 11 Coach

Norths Under 13 Report Saturday 22^nd of May

Another wonderful 8:0am start to Saturday.

We played Valley again and this time we competed very well. Thanks to Drew and Issac from the under 11's who helped out so well – it was good to have a reserve! We concentrated on the short passing and the quick free hits out to the half backs and we penetrated their defence frequently and utlimately were unlucky to have a goal disallowed (an accidental foot apparantly – ruled by the umpire at the other end). Our penalty corner combination is going to get some goals soon – perhaps we'll try Aaron or Andrew having the hit.

We showed excellent fighting spirit and were not disheartened by this – we continued to pass and tackle very well. Aaron and Andrew had excellent games as fullbacks and worked well together. On occassions we got sucked into ball watching and drifted off our man – this is very easy to do when you have to defend for long periods and it is equally important that we do not do it. Tom Battams played very well but Tom you did drift off that winger as did Sean from his inner. If we can tighten up this area we're going to be a very good team.

Corrie had another good game in the net and with Nick (our injured keeper looking on) he was always going to have to! Everyone should be very proud of their achievements in this game – we may have lost but we certainly turned it around from the last time we played them and next time we'll win. A draw would have been a fair result here I think – we had some good opportunities with Michael missing an open goal (it's easy to do Michael, I missed two on Sunday) – just remember you always have more time than you think so never panic and keep the stick on the ground.

I thinks parents and players would have been very happy, the coach was I know, of this game and the display of our teams collective abilities – there's some fine players just beginning to wake up in these lads – even my James is showing some spirit. Remember, if we make fewer mistakes than the opposition we win. Simple game really.

Keep up the good work, keep working on the fitness and speed and practice at home. Put away the gameboy and grab the hockey stick and ball and do some dribbling or hitting and break a window or two – I'm sure Mum and Dad won't mind (just joking kids – go outside!). A little more fitness work this Thursday I think plus some tackling and passing moves.

Graeme Higgins

Under 13's Coach

News

Saturday Night

A wonderful evening was had. Good to see the new players mixing with the old and famous (and those infamous too). Thoroughly enjoyed by those attended and their should be more of these events.

Levies

A turf levy for all teams that play and train on artificial turf (Colmslie and Kedron Wavell/ Burringbah) will be imposed this year. The cost of the levy will be finalised and the players in the teams that play on this surface will be required to pay this levy by the commencement of the games.

Electrician Needed

We need the services of an electrician at the club house to help install a hand dryer. Please contact Sally Willington.

Norths Website

The website for the club is www.gjames.com.au/norths. Add it to your favourites. The newsletters will be posted on the site each week. Also the club is celebrating it's 30^th year and there is a lot of history and information contained in the site. Feel free to browse. There are also shortcuts to other hockey sites as well as wet weather details etc.Welcome once again to the 2004 hockey season.

Contact graeme_higgins@gjames.com.au by the Tuesday of the next week if you have any information to add to the newsletters – simply email the text or send an attachment.