A mixed weekend of results for the Robertson Burrawang Rovers

It's hard to define, but centres around sportsmanship and conduct, not just when we're wearing the maroon and gold but when we're around soccer related events in general, and hopefully in the everyday routines of our lives.

We attempt to define it by saying if you can walk away proud of your behaviour then you're hitting it. If not, then you're missing it. Importantly the concept extends to when 'you're missing it' and into how you then conduct yourself.

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What you do to correct it? where possible? and ensure you move back to 'hitting it'. There is pride in dealing with your mistakes well.

For us it starts as soon as a player joins the club - our family - sometimes as young as four playing in the U6s, and even for their younger siblings around training and matches. For these littlies it is sometimes the very first time they experience being part of a team, and at this age may also be the first time they run with a group of peers in a 'for' and 'against' format.

Commonly there's a bit of handsy stuff - they tend to buzz around the ball like busy little bees and it's natural that they'll bump into each other a little whilst developing the skills and co-ordination of a new activity. The most commonly heard words from our coaches and parents at this stage is 'there's no hands in soccer'.

They're not exposed to having a goal keeper until under 8s so it's good time to reinforce the concept - there's no hands on the ball and there's no hands on other players, whether they're on our team or theirs.

The modified and graduated rules for the 'miniroos' well facilitates this development, which starts in the U6s and continues through to the U11s before they move on to full field soccer. The ability for both coaches to be on the field with the kids is key to player development in the younger age groups and allows them to readily encourage, instruct and correct where necessary.

The rules encourage both coaches to support players from both teams, not just their own. It's a great reinforcement to hear what your coach is teaching from another coach.

As a club it can sometimes be challenging when a new set of parents becomes involved in the sport. Sometimes they don't readily accept their child being instructed by someone other than themselves, and even more so by someone from 'the opposition'.

As a club we deal with this early in the piece - supplying the rules and codes of conduct before the season commences and reinforcing the beauty of the developmental stages and the benefit young players get from both coaches.

Rest assured mum and dad - having a coach reinforcing a concept like 'there's no hands in soccer' doesn't just teach your child to keep their hands off others, it also protects them from others using their hands. Trust in the coaches that give up their own personal time to teach and develop your child in the right way.

If your little one struggles with receiving instruction that's OK - reinforce the lesson they're learning and encourage them to listen to their coach. They may just be learning from a super-coach disguised as someone's parent.

Our matches on Saturday 25th May were all at home at Hampden Park bar one. It was a balmy late May Saturday and the hoodies and jackets were not required, which is quite odd given that at this stage of the season we're usually searching for extra layers to keep our players warm enough to enjoy their match.

Our U12s faced Yerrinbool in a tough match, going down 6-1 but finding some consolation in getting on the board with their sole goal from Riley Wallace.

Our U13s were the only team to travel for the day, heading to Bundanoon and coming away with a strong win.

The team is showing the benefit of steady, focused coaching from Emma Green and are demonstrating this in the quality of their passing plays and finishing.

The big score of 9-0 was reached with another double from Beau Johansen, yet another hat trick from Duke Garske and one each from Hamish Chapman, Isabella Sola and Oliver Whitten.

The U15s went down 5-0 to top of the table team Hill Top.

Our youth grade team played Moss Vale in the HSA Cup, finishing with a nil all draw and the result outstanding.

The ladies Gold team had a bye and instead of playing enjoyed a bit of spectating on what surely must be the last warm day of the season.

The ladies Maroon team met Yerrinbool, coming away with a strong 6-1 win with doubles from Emma Green and Abby Doyle, and one each to Natasha Wann and Amy Webb.

The men's Gold team had a tough day on the field going down 8-0 to Yerrinbool Green.

The men's Maroon team took the opposite approach hitting an 11-0 win over Hill Top. Mason King topped the scoring with a whopping four, well supported by a hat trick from Dan Freere and doubles from Will Hore and Zac Levin.

As always, lessons are learnt and re-learnt during a round of sport, and pride should always be found in both the winning and the losing.

Go Robbo!