Saturday May 11 saw the Robertson-Burrawang Rovers Soccer Club host the 2019 Beryl Fitzgerald Cup at Hampden Park which represents the HSA's U10s gala day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nine u10s teams from across the region competed in a two pool round robin competition, followed by semi-finals and the final. The other south end clubs also hosted their gala days with the U7s at Moss Vale, the U9s at Exeter and the U11s at Bundanoon for the Michael Sant Cup.
Photos: Sports over the Highlands 11-12
Beryl Fitzgerald along with Ian Muller, founded our soccer club in 1981 to support juniors from the Robertson and Burrawang areas wishing to play soccer. Our club renamed the U10s IMB Cup after Beryl following her sudden death in 1987 to honour and commemorate her service and dedication to our club and sport.
As all clubs across the region would acknowledge, hosting a gala day is a big undertaking requiring many man hours in the lead up and on the day itself, along with a decent amount of worry about the weather.
Even those no longer actively involved in the club do their part - thanks Shane and Belinda Macgraw for doing the bulk of the prep work before hitting the airport on the day itself.
President Damien Plain bore the bulk of the burden for the day, hitting the park at 6am to commence set-up and running the show until it's conclusion after midday before coaching his AAW Maroon team and rushing off to work for the evening.
As always our canteen crew worked hard - Emma Green arriving early to assist with set-up before dashing off to run her U9s at their gala day in Exeter, and Lizzie Green staying on for the day to manage the canteen along with Tammy Handley to keep the players and supporters fed and watered.
Without volunteers such as these a club couldn't sustain match days, let alone gala days. We are truly thankful to our big roster of volunteers - they really do make the club world go round.
Our own U10s team made it through to their semi-final against Bowral R, which was a hard fought match and quite rightly ended in a draw, even after extra time.
With a result required to determine who would move through to the final the match moved to penalties. This is a new experience for the U10s as they participate in small field, modified matches in the season proper where scores aren't recorded.
Despite the nerves of the parents and spectators the kids took it in their stride and Bowral R took out the match and moved through to the final, where they took on Exeter Blue.
The match was a great finale to the day and saw Exeter Blue take out the Cup with a 2-0 win. They are an absolutely delightful little team and were often overheard during the day cheering on teams from other clubs and generally saying positive things. Go Exeter.
Steve Fitzgerald attended for the day on behalf of the Fitzgerald family and named Max Harkness of Exeter Blue the Player of the Final.
Along with the excitement of a gala day comes the usual junior matches for those not participating in a gala day along with the senior matches.
Our Youth Grade side met Mittagong in an exciting match and held a 3-2 lead late, before Mittagong found the back of the net to end with a 3 all draw.
Our goal scorers were Judah Wright, Nick Neilsen and Kurt Crawford.
The AAW teams' matches were again part of the Noelene Munro Cup.
The Ladies Gold team met Hill Top and were satisfied with their performance, keeping the result to a 2 nil loss against a far stronger team. The defence worked hard to fend off the ongoing attacks on goal with the forwards coming back to help often. They still managed a few decent offensive runs.
The ladies maroon team met Mittagong Green, coming away with a 4-0 win despite injuries, showing good ball control for the match.
Natasha Wann added two to her tally with sister Olivia and Ashley Tindall getting one each.
The AAM gold team participated in the George Auld Cup against Hill Top and were happy with their 5-0 win.
Team manager Adam Furniss hit the back of the net for the first time - and from the back line.
He was well supported by his young bloke Clarry with one of his own, along with Dane Bourke and a double from Luiz Goncalves. The AAM maroon team had a week off after their opposition was forced to forfeit due to player numbers.
