WA to host 2009 Australian Schools Sport Football Nationals
The 2009 Australian Schools Sports 19 Years and Under Football Championships are being held at Lark Hill, the home of first division side Rockingham City. The tournament for boys and girls will be held over six days, and a School Sport Australia team will be selected at the conclusion of the Championships to tour the United Kingdom from 16 January to 7 February 2010
It’s been a hectic time for Coach Damon Atthowe, with a number of his original squad being unavailable for the tournament that starts on Sunday (2nd August), but he is very happy with the squad and is looking forward to the tournament. “The squad looks very good, however there are several issues we are facing in particular the issue of clubs expecting and demanding that the boys play this Saturday when the tournament starts on Sunday,” said Atthowe.
This is a disappointing situation for the players selected and I’m sure common sense will prevail, and with WA hosting the tournament it would be a shame if these players, who are representing their state, were not given the backing of their clubs. But Atthowe has seen the problem in the lead up to the tournament. “We’ve already had issues with player’s availability to train due to midweek games for their clubs and other issues, which hasn’t helped the build up for us.
“To make matters worse we’ve had to replace three players this week for a combination of reasons, and we’ve had to change four players from the original squad we named two months ago,” added Atthowe.
The WA boy’s side will be captained by Cockburn City youngster Devon Gibson, and both girls and boys sides will be hoping to win the tournament on home soil and gain selection in the Australian School squads. Last season Ryan Pretorius won that honour and toured the UK, he hopes to get another opportunity this season. “The Tour was great, real good experience to play against some great footballers in the UK. The highlights was playing against England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland school boys teams, some of which players are playing professional football,” said Pretorius
The WA Coach believes Pretorius is a vital member of his squad, but there are a number for the fans to watch over the six day’s. “Ryan is definitely a chance for the Aussie squad again but he is not the only one the selectors will be looking at.
“Our preparation has obviously been less than normal and to make so many changes so late will have an effect on our first couple of games until everybody settles in, still those boys coming in will have a point to prove and the others have all got strong characters and will respond to the challenge. We have NSW first up they are the traditional powerhouse of the competition and how we fare against them will go a long way to determining our final position,” explained Atthowe.
The Boys squad is as follows
Todd Ross, Tom Dixon, Max Clarke, David Nairn, Alen Galic, Josh Pugh, Jermaine Lewis, Jamie Street, Tim Robertson, Mitchell Crocker, Ryan Pretorius, Luke Randazzo, Devon Gibson, Josh Pereira, Liam Boland, Gerado Soto
Coach – Damon Atthowe, Manager - Tony Campbell
The Girls Squad is as follows -
Hollie Farrell, Corrin Walmsley, Annique Keisler, Emma Ylias, Joanne Randazzo, Sadie Lawrence, Rebecca Davies, Jamie-Lee Gale, Jaymee Gibbons, Morgan Cox, Ebony Drane, Rachael Smith, Kathryn Riley, Lindsey Kenyon, Emily Murray, Kristy Teschinsky
Coach: Tony Carvajal, Manager: Karen Bauer
Fixtures
Sunday
9.30 Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremony
10.30 QLD v ACT (B) NSW v WA (G)
12.15 NSW v WA (B) VIC v NT (G)
2.00 VIC v SA (B) QLD v ACT (G)
Monday
2.00 ACT v NT (G) SA v QLD (B)
3.45 VIC v SA (G) ACT v NSW (B)
5.00 QLD v WA (G)
6.45 WA v VIC (B)
Tuesday
9.00 QLD v NT (G) ACT v SA (G)
10.45 QLD v WA (B) SA v ACT (B)
12.30 NSW v VIC (B)
2.15 NSW v VIC (G) NT v SA (G)
Wednesday
9.30 NT v WA (G) QLD v SA (G) ACT v NSW (G)
Thursday
9.00 NT v NSW (G) WA v ACT (G) QLD v VIC (G)
10.45 NSW v SA (B)
12.30 VIC v QLD (B) ACT v WA (B)
2.15 SA v NSW (G) WA v VIC (G)
Friday
9.00 QLD v NSW (G) VIC v ACT (G) WA v SA (B)
10.45 SA v WA (G) QLD v NSW (B) VIC v ACT (B)
12.45 Closing Ceremony Closing Ceremony
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