The Football Mid North Coast association has proven to be a breeding ground for women’s talent after the Under-14 and Under-12 sides finished first and second respectively at the Champions of the Northern NSW Football State Skill Acquisition Program (SAP) Championship which was held last week.
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The Macleay was represented in both teams.
Maddison Kerr was the goalkeeper for the Under-14s side while Chelsea Hackenberg and Ava Ryan took to the field for the Under-12s.
Maddison was a standout for the Under-14s, who were recently crowned the Herald Women’s Premier League Premiers after winning 23 of their 24 matches throughout the season, and she only conceded one goal over the three-day tournament.
The Under-14s improved to state champions after they recorded six wins and a draw from their seven matches at the championship held at Coffs Harbour.
The results saw them finish on 19 points, five points ahead of the second placed North Coast Football.
While Maddison ensured the side finished the tournament with the best defensive record, they were also firing in attack. The Under-14s found the back of the net 16 times.
Maddison had been superb in goals for the Under-14s all season and contributed to her side conceding only 12 goals in 21 regular season games.
Maddison’s remarkable feat and her contributions to Football Mid North Coast didn’t go unnoticed, as she was recently presented the inaugural Club Person of the Year award.
Maddison received the award for her willingness to help out the Under-17s representative team when they needed players.
Maddison made herself available in every game this year and her devotion to the club and teammates didn’t go unrecognised.
Meanwhile the Under-12s also finished the tournament undefeated as they recorded four wins and two draws from their six matches.
However, it wasn’t enough for them to be crowned champions as they were forced to settle for second place as they were one point behind winners Northern NSW Football, who Football Mid North Coast defeated 3-1 on day two.
Northern NSW Football won their other five matches to earn the victory.
Despite missing out on the title, Chelsea and Ava enjoyed the experience of playing against the best junior players from across NSW.
Chelsea plays on the wing and threatened the opposition defences throughout the carnival. Chelsea’s highlight moment came when she scored a goal.
Meanwhile Ava was tireless in the midfield.
The Under-12s side combined to score 10 goals in their six matches while their defence was even better as they conceded just three goals all tournament.
The Under-12s team earned victories against North Coast, Northern NSW Football Select SAP, Macquarie and Hunter Valley while they drew with Northern Inland and Northern NSW Football SAP.
The Under-12s side was expected to perform at a high level as they took out the Kanga Cup earlier this year.
The prestigious tournament in Canberra, which was held in July, is the largest International Youth Football Tournament in the Southern Hemisphere and the Under-12s side secured five wins and suffered one defeat on their way to earning victory.
The two girls enjoyed playing football for three days and are looking forward to next season.
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