U12s Squad 2006 / 7
Click the followings links for Year Book 1 and Yearbook 2
James Alexander 2R
Tristan Baot LHP
Nate Claus H
Matthew Clementson OC / W
Drew Cox 2R Best and Fairest / RU
Martin Field
Angus Garway-Templeman HB
William Hayward IC
Ryan Henderson IC
Aaron Lau FB Best and Fairest
Brendan Ma Ha 2R
Henry McIntosh W
Adrien Neaud THP
Eoin O’Leary 8 Most Improved / RU
Jerome Ramus 2R Most Improved
Oliver Rodgers OC / W
Gerard Tam FH McBride Cup
Showcase 7s 2007 HK Stadium
VF 1 HKU 0
IYT March 2007
VF U12s Bowl winners
HKFC Festival held at Happy Valley
Sunday 11th March 2007
U12: P3, W1, D0, L2, TF7, TA3
Tai Po Dragons Festival held at King's Park
Sunday 21st January 2007
U12: P5, W3, L2, D0, TF13, TA5
Flying Kukris Festival held at Fanling
Sunday 10th December 2006
U12: P 5, W2, L1, D2, TF9, TA1
Bowl Winners
Sandy Bay Festival held at Pokfulam
Sunday 26th November 2006
U12: P4, W2, L2, D0,
DEA Tigers Festival held at King’s Park
Sunday 12th November 2006
U12: P4, W2, L2, TF9, TA8
What a fantastic season for the U12s – one of those rare times when a group of boys come together and really make a difference by pulling together and shaping the squad into a close group during the season.
While it was never going to be a season of silverware and top places (the depth to the squad in nos. was very low) it proved to be an example of dogged determination with 7 months of build up that ended in a team of competitive and confident players.
Every kilo and cm they gave away to the opposition was more than made up for by the size of the lad’s hearts – they just didn’t give in and were rewarded, finishing the season on a good high.
With so few players at the first training sessions there was a fear we could not enter the Hawke’s competition, but with the exception of James Alexander who sadly left us to go to school in Australia the boys not only stayed together but managed to add 2 more players during the season and so it was with great pleasure we welcomed Brendan and Martin to the U12 fold.
After the second festival and just before the K.O. at the Flying Kukris we decided to change our back line, moving people to different positions in order to play to their natural skill sets. It was a tall order and risky but voted on by the boys who not only felt at ease in their new spots, but flourished. We started to turn the corner.
The highlights for them were undoubtedly winning the Bowl at the Flying Kukris and then again at the IYT, but for me it had to be the first time I watched them take the ball into a ruck, get fast 2nd phase and push the ball through all the back’s hands, scoring in the corner. I felt they had ‘arrived’. They will surely not forget playing FC1 at the Wanchai Sports Festival, 5 tries down in the first half and gathering for a talk at half time about what needed to get done. They went back out and did not concede another point. That moment, beyond all others, showed their metal and sense of pride as a Unit.
The fact that this group managed to commit (at the time) 80% of its players to the Singapore tour showed a resolve within the group that went beyond just the players. This was reinforced at the Club’s dinner dance where 22 mums and dads (75% of the total number) came along to let their hair down and support the club which they had become an integral part of.
I would like to leave you with my thoughts on the players – how I looked on them after their development over the season. They passed out of the U12s as true sportsmen – they have given their best and faced their opposition with that wonderful blend of dogged determination and good sportsmanship. It is rare and precious commodity that hopefully will stay with them through their teen years. There was not one player on the park who has not improved over the course of this season – quietly here and there small battles have been won in the mindset and make up of these young players.
Congratulations and my very best wishes to you all
HG (Head Coach)
