2006/7 was a turning point in the development of this promising group of players. We set out at the start of the season to improve fitness, improve skills, develop passes over distance, not close up, develop positional sense and lastly to develop and foster talent. To help us reach these objectives we ran skills training in parallel to practice matches on Sundays and streamed players into groups to help focus on needs. So before we even went to a tournament we knew what we had and how we were developing. All the coaches who participated were totally committed to development and making sure all kids could run with the ball, catch and pass, as well as learning about position on the pitch.

 

We started our competitive season at a hot Kings Park where we won 50% of our games. This taught us that other teams had mastered the positions and ball skills better than Valley. At Sandy Bay and the Flying Kukri's tournament we showed significant improvement. By the time of the Kings Park tournament in January we were a transformed squad, winning 8 out of 12 games, importantly only losing 2. This tournament saw a clean sweep by the VF1 and  the first win for VF4, telling us that skills were improving throughout the squad.

 

At the end of the season showdown in March the Under 8 squad went to the Football Club tournament with confidence, winning 10 out of 12 games only losing one on the way. There were too many exciting moments to mention and everyone played very well, putting into practice what they learned, but most importantly having fun. It was great to see the smiling faces.

 

To close the season the Under 8 squad paraded around the Hong Kong stadium and were guests at the Aberdeen festival, securing another clean sweep for VF1.

 

Before closing this write up of 2006/7, a great tribute should be played to all the coaches who have used their collective skills to foster and develop a very promising group of kids. In many ways we were a privileged group of coaches and I know that everyone shared a precious moment seeing their child and their team mates, delight all who watched.

 

This squad has great potential and there will be stars of the future at various levels. I hope they can all harness their excitement and enthusiasm  and get even better in 2007/8.

 

Under 8's

Played 62

Won 41

Lost 12

Drew 8

For 188

Against 105