One of the biggest failures in junior football is the emphasis on results over development. It takes a compassionate and dedicated coach to see the larger picture. Our U11s Girls, led by Coach Kristy, reinforce the true values of football and community sport every week.
For most of these girls, it is their first time playing football. And, despite being an U11s team, some of the girls are as young as eight years old.
Our U11s Girls started their journey in football with a 13-0 loss. Some might see that as an unlucky number, but Kristy and the girls saw that as a benchmark to improve upon, and week-to-week, they have done just that. The girls demonstrated the Eagles spirit (and the Tamborine spirit), working hard in training and learning as a team.
Their next game was far better. The girls remained positive, enthusiastic, and eager to face every challenge. They scored their first goals of the season against Nerang in a spirited 3-2 loss. A testament to how far they had come already.
It’s easy to quit when you’re losing, but Kristy and her U11 Girls refuse to let any challenge scare them. With remarkable courage and determination, the girls continued to improve their defence and reduce the number of goals they were conceding. As their confidence with the ball increased, they started attacking more often and taking shots on goal.
The pieces continued falling into place as the season progressed. Their defending, passing, shooting, dribbling, and running became sharper and more cohesive. The girls became more confident trying different positions and improving their technical football skills. More importantly, they showed the character and sportsmanship we pride ourselves on as a club.
From the parents and the players to Coach Kristy’s inspiring dedication, our U11 Girls have banded together to show the Gold Coast what community football is really about.
As a club, we all look up to the effort Kristy and our U11s Girls are putting in every week. We can all learn from the passion, enthusiasm, and community spirit that they showcase every week.
Story by Chandler Milligan
