U11A Grand Final: Coogee United v Queens Park

Sat/Sun 11/12th August 2007
Sat/Sun 4/5th August 2007

U11A Grand Final: Coogee United v Queens Park

U11A Grand Final
Coogee United v Queens Park
Score 3-2 to Coogee United

For more photo's of the U11As, please see: :: Photo Gallery

What a result - from losing last years final in the pouring rain, to losing 7 players to reps, then re-grouping and forming a team of such greatness, is pure quality than any coach in his right mind would die for. I've worked with Supercoach Gannon for 5 years and to pull the strings of a team that on paper should not have even been a whisper of a final contender has performed miracles. A fantastic job and one that has set a trend for coaches coming through to follow in the club.

Anyone tells you that you have a team of superstars and are winners, let them come and see this team play. The Gannon factor is there in your face to see what one can do with 16 boys placed in their right position and what doing a "job" can do. It's not about individuals, and if anyone tells you otherwise, then move onto another conversation. Its about a group of young men that come together to work together, train together, hunt, play and die together.

Now I might be quoting from some movie now, but again, anyone that has followed this team will know that on paper, Queens Park are the Man Utd of the Eastern Suburbs. They have quality, consistency and great leadership. But on this day, it was about coming of age, of standing tall and showing the world that as a team, no-one is more difficult than the mighty black and white of the Coogee boys.

From going a goal down in the opening minutes, to drawing level at the start of the second half, we knew a game was on. Coogee then went ahead and with minutes looming, QP equalised. Extra time was called in. It was here that the fitness that was asked for during training proved why it was done. Let any parent ask the question why we do what we do during training and I will give them an answer. Our fitness levels proved the turning point. Our desire to not want to be second again was there for all to see. The winning goal came from an almost replica winning goal against us last year. Oh sweet justice! If Toyota was watching, you would have seen three manic men in the dug giving the "oh what a feeling" a chorus line.

Bloody Brilliant. Coogee United won the game in extra time. This report isn't about naming players, its about recognising a quality, a unit of one, the coming together of a group of strangers and working for each other. If anything comes from this, if any one of these young men can take anything from this game, its that of what its like to work and play in a "TEAM".

I hope you feel the passion here, because I'm re-living it as I write.

If we don't win another final with this club, I can lie in bed safely knowing that these boys are moving onto greatness in life, no-matter what...

That's my report and I'm the Simon Preston, "See you at the presentation."

Carmine has placed a videoclip of the 11s medal presentation on 'YouTube',
click on the link below to view:


:: Coogee Utd 11s Presentation


Simon Preston
Junior Secretary
Coogee United FC

Sat/Sun 11/12th August 2007

U10 Girls: Queens Park V Coogee Utd

Result: Queens Park 5 Coogee Utd 0

Whilst the result did not go our way the girls can still keep their heads held very high. It was probably our worst performance of the year (my theory that we are not a morning side got very little sympathy) but these things happen in sport. In truth we were always behind the eight ball with being down on numbers but some creative thinking ensured that we had a full compliment on the park.

In saying that there still were some great highlights. Lisa's charges down the right flank from midfield were sensational. Determination personified. It was probably the thought of missing out on the City to Surf which inspired her. Georgia led the line courageously often leaving defenders in her wake and was very well supported by Jessie who showed some real neat touches. Both girls deserved a goal.

Ruby continues to improve at an astonishing rate. Brooke was her ever reliable self along with Harriet who displayed real enterprise on the left. Her desire to get back onto the field after hurting her ankle did not go unnoticed. Mia and Natalie had a really tough job but stuck to their task notwithstanding QP attackers bearing down on them relentlessly for the entire game.

Last but certainly not least who will ever be able to forget the performance of our goalkeeper who I think is called Lucia. 10 out of 10 for competitive spirit.

One game to go so lets finish the season off the way in which we have played all year - with a smile on our face and having loads of fun.

PS: I want cartwheels this week!


- Report by Raff Del Vecchio

Sat/Sun 4/5th August 2007

U10 Girls: Coogee Utd V Queens Park

Result: Coogee Utd 2 Queens Park 2

On a picture perfect winters afternoon the Coogee girls took to the field against a side that had comprehensively beaten us twice before.

The absence of Mayliss necessitated some re shuffling to the formation with Jessie partnering Georgia up front. After shading the opening exchanges we received a dubious penalty which was despatched with aplomb by Brooke. The keeper never had a chance.

Some end to end football took place after that until the referee decided to even the ledger by giving Queens Park a direct free kick for someone falling over their own feet. I suppose he wished to make up for his initial error by compounding it. Needless to say the score was locked up at 1-1 at oranges.

The second half opened up much the same as the first until Georgia latched on to a perfect through ball, and after showing some sublime dribbling skills to beat countless defenders then had to negotiate a couple of dogs which had strayed onto the field before finishing with conviction. I am positive that Pete let them loose on the field to serve as a distraction to the QP defenders. Real lateral thinking mate.

Queens Park continued to toil away and got a deserved equaliser. Jazmine in goal pulled of some heroics and was ably supported by our tremendous defence of Annalisa, Ruby, Natalie and of course Harriet who realised today why I have had her dribbling through cones all year when she went around a defender. It is extremely satisfying when you see something which has been practiced replicated on game day. Mia also was very solid - loss of hair band withstanding.

Our midfield was particularly busy with Lisa ever reliable. Brooke continues to be the gel that holds the team together both in attack and defence and Jessie played her usual solid game. Georgia continued to show us why she has one of the best techniques in the competition.

It was a nail biting pulsating game with even some of the coolest customer parents getting into the spirit of the day (Rob take note) and the last few minutes when we were under constant pressure seemed to go on for an eternity. Anyway a draw was probably a fair result and has left us with our fate in our own hands. A win next week and we are semi final bound!!!!

See you at training. Parents do not forget your running shoes...


- Report by Raff Del Vecchio