NEARLY 400 kids, a couple of dozen round balls, and 20-odd weeks – the Moree junior soccer season is over for another year.
The year’s highpoint was the month-long trip to Germany in June by Josh Rigby, and brothers Liam and Aden Bridge to compete at international level after gaining selection in the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup at Inverell last year.
Moree Junior Soccer Club president Kevin Rigby said the boys did themselves proud.
“They did Moree junior soccer proud and they did the whole town proud,” Kevin said.
“They all achieved best-and-fairest awards and best-on-ground awards, which is a great thing for the boys personally.
“Their attitude, their manners and the way they conducted themselves was absolutely amazing.
“As president of the junior soccer club, I’m super proud of them, and as a dad, I’m super-proud as well,” he smiled.
The boys, as well as other emerging Moree soccer stars, have the opportunity to return to Germany next year, with the Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup at Inverell next weekend giving them the chance to qualify.
“Going to Germany was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, but now it might be a second-in-a-lifetime chance because they’re going to try out for the 16s at Inverell next week, and they can also try out of the 18s,” Kevin said.
The Inverell Rale Rasic Joeys Mini World Cup draws dozens of teams involving hundreds of players from across the eastern seaboard.
“It’s a huge carnival, and wonderful experience for our players,” Kevin said.
“Four teams will go to Germany next year, so the boys are going back-to-back to see if they can get picked again.
“There will be 14 kids from Moree going to Inverell to play in the 14s, 16s, open women’s and 14s girls,” he said.
The 2024 junior soccer carnival wrapped up on Saturday for another year.
“It’s been a good season. The numbers were up; we had 360 players, and there were a lot more girls this year as well,” Kevin said.
“Nearly one-third of all players were girls – about 100 all up – which is good, and some of those girls will be playing at Inverell next week.
“We had a few wash-outs early in the season, and it’s hard sometimes to work out whether to play or not – the kids love playing in wet weather, the parents don’t,” Kevin laughed.
“The committee has done a great job this year. There’s only about half-a-dozen of us, but everyone has done an absolutely amazing job, getting stuck in and getting things done every week – which make my job easier.
“I know I’ve done something right as president when I see the kids smile when they get a medal – the happiness on their faces makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
Words and Images: Bill Poulos
