Intrastate youth games on Sunday complete weekend program

Photo:  Action from today's Boys' Under-15 game between the South and the North. [PlessPix]

Under-16 Girls

Youth 4-1 North

Photo:  The goalkeeper clears in today's Girls' Under-16 game. [PlessPix]  

Under-15 Boys

South 1-3 North

Photo:  A goalkeeper tries to prevent an opposing forward from getting past him in today's Boys' Under-15 game. [PlessPix]  

I asked David Smith, the Coach Development Manager at Football Tasmania, what he thought of today’s games.

“I was a bit disappointing with the Under-16 girls,” Smith said.

“But, due to injuries, work commitments, and the fact they were unable to go to National Championship, we had a number of players missing which resulted in seven Under-14 girls having to double up from yesterday.

Photo:  Action from today's Under-16 Girls' match. [PlessPix]  

“It was disjointed, but there were some strong individual performances, but both teams lacked cohesion.

“In the Under-15 Boys, I was happy with both teams.

“This is a good age group and this group have trained strongly throughout and showed today that in the next 12-18 months a number of these players will be playing senior football.”

Smith said the weekend’s games had been a success in terms of the outcomes he had been looking for.

Photo:  David Smith (extreme right) watches the Under-15 Boys' game. [PlessPix]  

“For me, it was a success,” Smith said.

“It showed me the need to have Statewide programs with both training and frequent games.

“It is also important that the program supplements club programs where we can get identified players training together.

Photo:  Action from the Under-16 Girls' game at KGV Park today. [PlessPix]  

“Any program needs to work hand in hand with clubs.

“We need to provide opportunities for players and developing coaches to be challenged technically and these types of games are one of the options.”

Photo:  An attack develops in today's Under-15 Boys' game. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Ivica Bolonja (left), who is doing his C Licence coaching qualification, with David Smith in the technical area today during the Under-16 Girls' game. [PlessPix]

Photo:  A Southern Under-15 Boys' player takes the ball on his chest while under pressure. [PlessPix]

Photo:  A North player holds off a South opponent in the Boys' Under-15 game today. [PlessPix]
 

Photo:  Action from today's Boys' Under-15 clash at KGV Park. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Nathan Coad, Football Tasmania's new Referees' Development Manager, was on the line today at KGV Park. [PlessPix]

Photo:  A North attack developing in today's Boys' Under-15 game. [PlessPix]

Intrastate Youth games at KGV Park today

Photo:  Action from today's Under-14 girls' game at KGV Park. {PlessPix] 

Under-14 Girls

South 3-1 North

Photo:  A Northern player (left) stops a Southern attack. [PlessPix]  

Under-14 Boys

South 4-1 North

Photo:  An attacker races down the wing in the girls' Under-14 game today. [PlessPix]  

David Smith, Football Tasmania Coach Development Manager, said the youth games at KGV Park today had been a worthwhile exercise.

“It has been very hard for the players with no Nationals and no real games<’ Smith said.

“Today, I was very happy  with both games.

Photo:  North's equaliser against South in the Boys' Under-14 game today at KGV Park. [PlessPix] 

“There were lost of positives, plus we were able to see areas we must develop player improvement in.

“We will be looking to play more of these types of games in 2022.

“Players need to be up against The best available players on a more regular occasion.

“A big thanks to the clubs who have supported our program.

Photo:  Action from today's Under-14 girls' game. [PlessPix]  

“They have been, and will continue to be, major players in player development.

“I’d also like to thank the parents who have been willing to transport and support their child during the season.”

The program continues at KGV Park tomorrow.

At 11.30am, the Under-16 girls are in action and at 1.30pm it will the Under-15 boys.

Photo:  A Northern striker has a shot at goal against South. [PlessPix]

Photo:  The Southern goalkeeper blocks the shot. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Action from today's Boys' Under-14 game. [PlessPix]
 

Photo:  John Hunt and his camera-person from Southern Cross TV were at today's games. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Winds coming off snow-covered  Wellington made for cold conditions at KGV Park today. [PlessPix]