Junior soccer stars lit up Castor Park, Mourilyan

Story And Photos By Maria Girgenti

HUNDREDS of junior teams converged on Castor Park, Mourilyan, on May 6 and kicked off their season as Innisfail hosted the Mareeba Bulls.

Boogan Stars, Innisfail Tigers, Mission Beach Barracudas and Tully Flames Clubs field teams from Under 6/7 to Under 10/11.

Under 6-7 teams have four players per side, and no goalkeeper, with games played over two 20-minute halves and are about learning rules and skills in a game situation with an on-field coach.

Under 8-9, teams have seven players per side, including a goalkeeper, and games consist of two 20-minute halves with a five-minute halftime break.

Under 10-11, teams have nine players per side, including a goalkeeper, with games played over two 25-minute halves.

Mini carnivals provide an excellent opportunity for junior players to gain valuable game experience, so clubs encourage all teams to participate.

Tully Flames Junior Football Club has started the season strongly with 73 players.

The club’s 2023 - 2024 committee is Kate Mason (President), Kaitlyn Marsilio (Vice President), Rachael Hodgson (Secretary), Tim Wilcox (Treasurer) and Stephanie Grimaz (Registrar).

In 2023, the club’s sponsors are Tully Welding Works, Agape Family Dental, Bonassi’s Quarry, Durighello Welding and Tully Sugar.

On Thursdays, only 27 youngsters aged 3 - 5 years attend Squirts training with coaches Jesse Barra, Dom Cavallaro and Vinny Palmus.

This season, 17 players make up three teams in the Under 6/7 age group, with Kate Mason, Anthony Marsilio and Jake Robertson as coaches.

Nineteen players make up two teams in Under 8/9, coached by Rachael Hodgson, Alicia Johnston, Ben and Rebecca Watson, whilst ten players make up one team in the Under 10/11 age group coached by Lani Miller and Tim Wilcox.

The remaining age groups attend training sessions in Tully on Thursday afternoons from 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm, with games played at Castor Park, Mourilyan, on Saturdays.

Innisfail Tigers Soccer Club has 81 juniors registered, who make up five Under 6/7 teams, three Under 8/9 teams and three Under 10/11/12 teams.

Coaches for the 2023 season are as follows: Jade Melvin, Mark Nucifora, Chris Wray and Tyrone Gil

(Under 6/7); Steven Tanti, Evan Coppin, Michael Blair, Donny Ferrau, Mark Brischetto and Aaron Forsyth (Under 8/9) and Steve Bailey and David Marks (Under 10/11/12).

Their 2023 - 2024 committee is Steven Tanti (President), David Marks (Vice-President), Tahyne Gil (Treasurer), Amy Wray/Rebecca Sapuppo (Secretary) and Lexie Shorney (Registrar).

Team training sessions occur on Wednesday afternoons from 5.15 pm - 6.15 pm at Goondi Combined Sports Complex (bottom fields).