THE Central Coast Mariners Academy Grade 12 girls team have seen their season’s hard work and training pay off after achieving a commendable second place in the recently held Cheryl Salisbury Cup at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney.
THE Central Coast Mariners Academy Grade 12 girls team have seen their hard work and training pay off after achieving a commendable second place in the recently held Cheryl Salisbury Cup at Valentine Sports Park in Sydney.
Coach Jen Tatum, supported by Academy Player Tegan Boden and Central Coast Football Coaching and Development Manager, Andrew Ollier were proud of the girls achievement in the tournament and their performance in the Grand Final.
With five games played over three days, the Academy girls showed their stamina and never give-up attitude throughout the whole tournament. The girls also showed their ability to play in all conditions that were thrown at them with the teams needing to play through heavy rain to keep to the tournament schedule.
To get to the Grand Final the girls had to endure two penalty shootouts – one against Sydney University to make the Semi-Final and one against Manly to make the Grand Final. Full credit to the girls Grade 12 keeper Adina Hawkins. Hawkins was instrumental in ensuring success in the penalty shootouts and showing composure and maturity beyond her years when the pressure was on.
Hawkins and her fellow Academy Goalkeepers have been training under the watchful eye of Mariners Hyundai A-League goalkeeping coach John Crawley and players Mathew Ryan and Justin Pasfield.
The Girls faced Northbridge FC in the Grand Final and although they played well, were beaten by two high class goals by the Northbridge team. Northbridge were crowned winners of the 2012 Cheryl Salisbury Cup. A full report of the Grand Final match can be found at www.fooballnsw.com.au
