2009 a season to remember

Just like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for making 2009 such a cracker. It has been fun. Pure and Simple.

In three years we have taken the game from 20 or so people having a casual kick to approx 200 members. It wouldn't be possible without your contribution. So cheers.

2009 saw us develop the women's game, confirm the popularity of the juniors and the potential to expand into youth football. We had five outdoor teams, ten futsal teams, a four team women's futsal competition, women's representative team, and most importantly 130 juniors participating in small sided games. For the first time the international st patricks day extravaganza involved - god forbid - a footy team. There was even a beach football game with Jimeoin. 

Yep 2009 was supposed to be a year of consolidation and we still ended up with three nominations in the broome sports awards!

We didn't host Derby, or an indoor world cup, as we have done in the past. We simply didn't have the capacity to run them. They could be resurrected in 2010. With the world cup set to play out again it is already looking like a big year. How big will depend on who is willing to jump on our bandwagon and lend a hand. 

In 2010 Football Australia will bring their cottees five a side program to the schools as part of our promotion. More links with the school will provide greater opportunity to promote our sport.

With many children moving into the youth age groups there is great potential to expand our junior programs. This expansion could also be developed into communities such as Bidyadanga and Lombadina. Both communities showed an interest in working with us already this year. Again we didn't have the capacity to run with it. Football Australia's Indigenous football festival is the perfect incentive to encourage communities to get involved. Having a girl and boy representative in the WA team would be a great thing for this region.

The girls in particular could benefit from the expansion of our women's competition. Already the amount of enthusiasm for developing a stand alone competition will ensure a women's coordinator will be included on the committee next year. The fact our game can be played by both sexes is a huge strength and the potential to give the game to the regions girls and women is enormous. There are very few team sports for women in this region and with a Perth Glory women's team newly established our local girls can have something to dream of. Why not?

There has also been interest from the Big Issue's homeless soccer program. They are keen to work with our association to provide opportunities for marginalised groups. There is a program in Port Hedland about to start and indeed greater links with our southern neighbour has already been talked about this year. In 2010 if Port Hedland were included in our representative games we would be on our way to a north west championships.

Yep 2010 is shaping up to be a big year. Our fourth since we resurrected the association. In these short few years i have personally been amazed at what can be achieved when good people work together for a common cause. Along the way there has been some great friendships established, plenty of memorable social events, and a couple of kids from cable beach primary school with my autograph on their school bag! By providing opportunities for our children to participate we inadvertently become role models. Personally i have found great satisfaction in this. It inspires me to want to develop our association so that it continues to bring all ages and walks of life together in the name of football.

We are all part of this association together. Together we can take our game wherever we want. It's just a matter of us all making a contribution where we can. So have a think about what you might be able to do to keep us moving forward. What can you do to ensure we continue to enjoy ourselves?

Watching 2009 unfold in such a fantastic way has been unbelievably rewarding. We've had some fun. I look forward to 2010 and working to ensure those experiences can be enhanced and new friendships developed. This is after all what it is all about. 

Thanks again for 2009. Happy holidays and see you indoors in February.

Womens Outdoor 2009

This was supposed to be in the last post - but my computer is nasty, its never the user

Competition "Tough" for the Womens last game

The women's outdoor season finished with some fierce competition last Wednesday. Unfortunately just like the controversy surrounding the BLiga, the ref for the game needs to be questioned. Misplacing of the game card, blaming it on holiday brain, means that for 2010 some things need to change. What the ref can remember is that the game was so intense that neither team had managed to score until just before half time, showing just how impressive the level the women have reached this season in the game. All the women who have played in the outdoor season are absolute champions, and thanks for being part of it, washing team shirts etc and for the all the fun and laughs! I look forward to celebrating 2009 at the windup this Saturday night, a few social kicks on the beach, and the indoor season starting up in Feb 2010.

B-Liga Tenth Round Summary - Pearl Coast Pirates Champions!

Pearl Coast Pirates formally claimed the Broome Soccer Association B-Liga title on Wednesday night, after Hagan’s Heroes faltered against Broome City.

The Pirates had started the season strong, relying on game-changing performances by Gareth Jones and Phil Sheridan to propel them up the table, but after losing the two playmakers to interstate teams, struggled to perform late in the season.

Only a win against NDFC last week was enough to give the Pirates the points to force the issue at the top of the table.

This title win now makes the men in black Broome’s most successful B-Liga side, with two championships in three years.

Perennial runners-up Hagan’s Heroes had the impossible task of trying to beat Broome City by a margin of at least 21 goals to try and depose the Pirates at the top, but stuttered against the Blues who won the match 7-4.

With talismanic Heroes midfielder Mike Doyle lost to injury, the Greens were always going to struggle, although captain Chris Stainton tried manfully to push his side into a higher gear.

In the other match of the round, cellar-dwellers NDFC and Racing Guantanamo AFC went head-to-head in a match that would see the loser claim the wooden spoon.

The score see-sawed throughout, with one side taking the lead and then the other in an exciting flowing game of football.

Just after half-time, young Jon Falconer managed to score what was possibly the greatest ever B-Liga goal, with a sizzling shot just under half-way that flew past goalkeeper Jon Gallichan and buried itself in the top-left corner.

That goal however was not to keep NDFC out of the game, when Nicky Anear capitalised on some soft Guantanamo defending to put his side in front again.

Controversy abounded late in the second half, when referee Richard Brunger waved play-on after a blatant NDFC handball, resulting in an NDFC goal.

Despite protests from several Guantanamo players, including supporters on the sidelines, Brunger refused to change his call, marking one of the most shocking decisions since the Thierry Henry handball that put Ireland out of the World Cup.

Indeed, Brunger was keen to stamp his authority on the game, calling numerous soft fouls and even a penalty in what was turning into a niggly affair.

With NDFC ahead by one goal, Guantanamo again pushed forward in numbers, but were unable to break their stubborn defence, resulting in the match ending 5-4.

This was the fourth match in a row that Guantanamo had lost by one goal scored in the last five minutes, and condemned them to finish bottom of the table for the second time in three years.

Captain Andy Smyth will have his work cut-out to turn the Mighty Orange into title-challengers.

With the B-Liga now over for the 2009 season, the Broome Soccer Association will take a recess and kick off again next year in early February with the indoor Broomedesliga futsal competition.

B-Liga Ninth Round Summary - Pirates Champions?

Only a miracle scoreline next week will prevent Pearl Coast Pirates from picking up their second Broome Soccer Association B-Liga title in three years.

The men in black have capitalised on a superb early run to survive a late drop in form to go three points clear of rivals Hagan’s Heroes.

A Pirates goal difference of +20 means that Hagan’s will need to see off Broome City next week by a margin of 21 goals.

The men in black managed to see off NDFC 3-0 last week with Ken Goatley netting a hattrick to put the Pirates in their unassailable lead at the top of the table.

In the other match of the round, a stubborn Racing Guantanamo came up against Broome City, who were in a jubilant mood after seeing off Pearl Coast Pirates the week before.

Guantanamo were on a run of four defeats in a row, and were eager to break their duck against the Blues.

Irishman Joe Tighe was again the steadying hand at the heart of the Guantanamo defence as the Mighty Orange soaked up the pressure and hit City on the break.

Some deft touches by Chris Hingston and Ben Jones served their side well, but the killer blow was missing at the end.

As City struggled to get anything out of the game, Guantanamo came forward in greater numbers as they were desperate to get something out of the game.

Disaster struck with five minutes to go, as a momentary lapse in defence saw Broome City’s Jamie Lane thunder a shot past Orange goalkeeper Andy Chapman to get his side in front.

Guantanamo again pushed to get numbers forward, but were thwarted by a City team who got everyone behind the ball in the final few moments, resulting in the Mighty Orange going down to their fifth loss in a row.

Next week sees Hagan’s Heroes attempt to do the impossible against City, while Guantanamo travel to face NDFC, the loser of which will finish bottom of the table.

B-Liga Presentation Night Invite

See details of the B-Liga Presentation Night below:

B-Liga Eighth Round Summary

By Mike Doyle

The most thrilling B Liga championship in Broome Soccer Association history is set to go down to the final week of the season with Pearl Coast Pirates and Hagan’s Heroes locked on 15 points with just one game left for both sides.

Pearl Coast Pirates lost for the second time in a row, this time 2-0 at the hands of Broome City, whilst the Heroes season is still alive with a thrilling 3-2 win against Racing Guantanamo.

Only a few weeks ago Pirates were undefeated and appeared seemingly invincible, but the loss of key players has severely hampered their season. Take nothing away from Broome City. The navy blues put in their best performance of the season with Colm O’Brien and the ever reliable Sasha Jovanoski ensuring the Pirates woes continued. Pearl Coast’s goal difference may yet hand them the title, but they must claim maximum points in round nine against the ever improving NDFC.

In contrast Heroes winning streak stretched to four, thanks to a last-gasp thunderbolt from marquee defender Mick Albert. Goals from Graffen and Carroll had given the double H’s an early lead, but Guantanamo are not the push overs of old. Goals either side of the break brought the Oranges level. The match hung in the balance for most of the half with both teams having chances to win, but Albert would not be denied firing home the most important goal in Hero history to keep the dream alive. With the bye in round nine the green machine know if Pirates falter a win against Broome City in the final round could see Heroes finally cast off the tag as perennial second place getters.

Hagan’s Heroes 3 - 2 Racing Guantanamo AFC

Broome City 2 - 0 Pearl Coast Pirates

B-Liga Seventh Round Summary

The league leaders' unbeaten streak coming to an end, the perennial underdogs thrashing out a draw with their highly-fancied opposition and the association president copping a season-ending injury - where else could it be but the B-Liga?

Pearl Coast Pirates went into this match on a 5 game winning streak, while Hagan's Heroes had endured a patchy run of form through the opening rounds of the competition. With both teams looking to get the three points, it was the Heroes who started the stronger with Mike Doyle, Brett Claudius, Matt Carroll and Andy Graffen all firing their team ahead to stun the men in black. The Pirates had welcomed back their goal scoring machine Phil Sheridan, but the Northern Irishman was struggling to make an impact after a 2 week layoff. The Pirates managed to hit back just before halftime with Sheridan and young Emmanuel Navarette scoring, but were clearly shell-shocked at the Heroes domination. In the second half, the Pirates managed to get back another two goals, with Paul Roach and Ken Goatley playing well, before Mike Doyle popped up to get the win for the Heroes and end the Pirates winning streak.

Final Score: Hagan's Heroes 5 - 4 Pearl Coast Pirates

NDFC had struggled to make an impact on the B-Liga this season, after taking the championship last year. It had been well documented in the media how they had lost several key players, and recruited mainly youth players whom some said did not have the experience to take the team all the way again. Broome City had been touted to score an easy victory against these young stars, but any thoughts of cruising to the win were banished just ten minutes into the game when Jesse Anear converted a penalty to take the lead for NDFC. Anear added to City's woes with another before halftime to take NDFC two goals up. In the second half, City managed to hit back with one from Steve Shaw and two from Tiger to take City into the lead. Tragedy for the City defence however in the final minutes of the game, when Anear was scythed down in the box, allowing Tom Offer to convert the penalty and give NDFC the draw.

Final Score: Broome City 3 - 3 NDFC

B-Liga Table

Next Round Preview

With the Anonymous Analyser

Hagan's Heroes vs. Racing Guantanamo AFC

Odds: Hagan's Heroes win $2.00, Draw $5.00, Racing Guantanamo win $2.20

Broome City vs. Pearl Coast Pirates

Odds: Broome City win $3.00, Draw $2.00, Pearl Coast Pirates win $1.90

Well the B-Liga is getting harder to tip than the A-League at the moment, with both favourites slipping up last week. I would have to say that Hagan's Heroes will struggle this week with the loss of Mike Doyle, who suffered a neck injury in the last round and will be out for the season. Guantanamo on the other hand have experienced a surge in team cohesion during their last match and will look to get a win over the team they beat back in Round 3. I want to say Guantanamo will win - but I think the Heroes will pip them to the post. Hagan's Heroes to win marginally.

Broome City and Pearl Coast Pirates will be a good match. You can quote me on that. I would have to say that looking at the form book, the Pirates should be a certainty, but it's hard to tell how good they will be after losing Phil Sheridan, who played his last game last week. Broome City will be chomping at the bit to avenge the draw they got with NDFC last round. I reckon though that the Pirates could just nip in here. Pirates to win narrowly.

Until next week.