Surf Coast FC players help Geelong team lift trophy

SURF Coast FC had eight representatives in the under-11 girls’ Geelong team that won its age group at the Football Victoria country championships in Albury on the King’s Birthday weekend.

In a tournament where they also played three under-12 sides in the round robin matches, Geelong defeated Bendigo 1-0 to lift the trophy.

Zara Leijer scored the winner and the team was the only Geelong outfit to win its group at the tournament.

“We were the dominant team in the final, we just couldn’t find the back of the net and then we got our breakthrough, which was really good for the girls,” said Coerver Coaching Geelong’s Adrian Leijer who was supporting the team.

 

Geelong also beat Bendigo 2-0 in their second of six games across the championships.

They took up it up to the under-12s as well, winning two out of three games.

“It was really joyful to watch. It was a really fun weekend with all the girls and the families together and I’m sure it’s something that they’ll never forget,” Leijer said.

He added the team was praised by onlookers for its composure.

 

“The Football Victoria technical director approached me and said how impressed he was with the way that the girls played and their technical ability, which was really impressive and fantastic to see.”

The Surf Coast FC players in the 13-player squad were Matilda Furness (captain), Zoey Grayling (vice-captain), Frankie Dyson, Zara Leijer, Lila Pritchett, Chloe Pearson, Sage Capuano and Ruby Armstrong.

The Geelong team will also play in the Western United Cup in October.

Results:

Game 1 – vs U/11 Ballarat 13-0 win

Game 2 – vs U/11 Bendigo 2-0 win

Game 3 – vs U/12 Gippsland 1-0 win

Game 4 – vs U/12 Bendigo 2-0 win

Game 5 – vs U/12 La Trobe 0-1 loss

Grand Final vs U/11 Bendigo 1-0 win.