Phoenix soccer stars on the rise

PHOENIX College’s senior boys soccer team is going from strength-to-strength, having qualified for the finals of a state tournament in July.

Before the conclusion of term two earlier this month, the squad saw success in their regional soccer meet, winning two games.

The school’s sports coordinator Andrew Hooper commended the boys’ teamwork and consistency.

“Soccer is a game where you need to understand your players, with set plays, and know where to position the ball to score,” he said.

“They don’t rely on individuals, and the team plays their role when they come on, which is great.”

Hooper said the team, mostly made up of year 11 and 12 students, is full of talent, with at least three of the boys aiming towards a professional career as an athlete.

“They just love their soccer,” he said. “Hopefully they have the ambition to go a bit further.”

Balancing extracurricular sport with senior studies is something Hooper said can be tricky for young people, but it’s a positive challenge for them to take up.

“From my point of view as a sports coordinator, it’s really important that these students in their last years of school have fun, alongside their learning, and exams, which can be stressful,” he said.

“It’s a chance for the boys to represent our school, be proud, and challenge themselves against other students.

“It’s not easy to get to States, so they’ve already achieved a lot in that way.”

The Phoenix senior boys’ soccer team had to progress through the School Sport Victoria and Greater Western Region tournaments to have the opportunity to compete at State level.