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Mid West soccer stars ready for big Country Week after Olympic, Abrolhos share junior honours

Reuben CarderGeraldton Guardian
Season MVP Matt Greenlees holds the shield as Abrolhos celebrate.
Camera IconSeason MVP Matt Greenlees holds the shield as Abrolhos celebrate. Credit: Reuben Carder/Geraldton Guardian, Reuben Carder

The future of the world game is in good hands.

That’s the message from Geraldton Junior Soccer Association president Chris Dzoma as country week gets under way this week, after a successful local junior season wrapped up last weekend.

“We’ve got some decent talent (heading to the tournament) and our team is certainly going to be well represented,” Dzoma said.

He said participation in the local competition was a third higher in the just-completed season, increasing to nearly 600 children from about 400 last year, with the the Strathalbyn Lions, associated with Geraldton Christian College, a welcome addition.

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“The general competition levels were good, and there were good skill levels,” he said.

“Strath has brought a different approach; the way they are managing their club and the fact they are a school-based system.

“They are bringing some good intensity in terms of training, and their future looks good.

“Over the year, generally the participation of the different clubs and co-ordination was pretty good.”

He said many of the under-16s players were ready to step up to the senior divisions.

Olympic FC won the under-16s knockout cup last weekend ahead of Abrolhos FC, 3-0, with Jack Preston taking out the best-on-ground award in the final.

Abrolhos won the league.

Matt Greenlees was overall best player.

The association said more than 100 players had been selected for country week, which will run all week at Yokine Reserve.

“We are wishing you all the very best for the gruelling week ahead,” it said.

The City of Greater Geraldton will be running free soccer clinics at Midalia Beach as part of its spring school holidays program.

The clinics start today and continue tomorrow, and also run on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Registration is required.

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