Area’s prospects getting brighter

Matthew Galea

August 23 2014

Shepparton News

Shepparton and surrounds continues to make its mark on Victorian soccer.

Following on from the success of Lucy Murdoch, Alicia Laffy and Leia Varley in making the Victoria Country uinder-13 girls’ team, eight boys have gone onto make their own respective sides.

Goulburn Valley Suns talents Liam Kielty, Fraser Gosstray and Alec Mills have made the under-13 side, while fellow Suns Zac Hutchison, Jack Milford and Isaac Reid made the under-14 side.

The latter three will be joined by fellow Shepparton products Declan Maiorano and David Musafiri, who play their soccer in Melbourne with fellow National Premier Leagues Victoria outfit Bulleen Lions.

Mills, Milford and Reid play for the Suns, but are based at Myrtleford.

The boys will travel to Coffs Harbour for the national championships in October.

Suns technical director Pat Kielty said it was a fantastic achievement for the club to have seven players from the junior ranks go on to represent the state in its first season.

‘‘It’s brilliant for the kids who have had to work really hard and do a lot of travelling,’’ Kielty said.

‘‘They’ve had to do 4 trial sessions in Melbourne and another 12 sessions with a squad of 22 before it was cut to 16, so it’s a huge effort.’’

Liam Kielty and Gosstray will represent Victoria for the first time and said they were looking forward to the challenge.

Gosstray went deep into trials last year only to be denied at the final cut.

‘‘It was a relief (to make it) this time,’’ Gosstray said.

‘‘Playing against kids all over the state (with the Suns) helped.’’

Kielty said the experience with the Suns and playing against a broader range of players certainly helped.

‘‘It’s a much harder standard but I think that makes you play better,’’ Kielty said.

Hutchison, who played in the under-13 Victoria Country side alongside Musafiri and Maiorano last year, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

‘‘It was the best, I couldn’t wait to go again,’’ Hutchison said.

‘‘The pitch was so soft and playing against the better opposition gave you confidence and helped you go forward.

‘‘It’s been good with the Suns, too. There have been tough games every week like there were in GNEFA (Goulburn North East Football Association), so that’s definitely helped as well.’’