2018 U14 Girls Season Report

Coach: Natalie Corrigan / Team Manager: John Mackay

For the first time, SBMT was able to field an U14 girls’ junior team in the SMJFL, and a healthy group of 21 girls were registered to play in the yellow, blue and gold. Of that group, only 8 had played AFL before so we worked on quite a long pre-season of different training sessions to teach the girls the basics of football before Round 1.

The first 2 grading games were a big learning curve to the girls not scoring in either game, but with improvement coming each week, were able to win the next 2 grading games and were put into Division 2.

The season was very mixed with results, again the first 2 games of the season proper were lost with no score, but the girls bounced back quickly winning the next 2.

As each week went by, the enthusiasm and dedication to improving their skills was increasing and never throughout the season did this fade. They finished the season in 6^th place with 5 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses, remarkable given the minimal experience in the team.

I was amazed by the girl’s resilience in games where they were leading, only to lose by a narrow margin. This has put them in good stead if they choose to continue playing football next year.

I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to coach this group of fantastic girls, and along with them came an amazing group of parents and supporters.

I would also like to thank my Assistant Coach Jay Oliver for his amazing support and his dedication to skill teaching amongst the group each week at training. And also a huge thank you to Jay’s business ACR Roofing for their sponsorship of the Under 14 girls’ team.