The Bendigo Amateur Soccer League (BASL) would like to congratulate all of the successful clubs that have taken out the Championship in their respective age groups. In some age groups, the title had been decided weeks ago while in others the winners were not confirmed until the final round of the season.

In the Under 12s, Championship winners Kyneton had a very good start to the season scoring 31 goals and only conceding one in their first four matches. With the likes of Flynn Mazza and Daniel Johnston consistently putting away goals, they led the table throughout the first third of the season.

Kyneton were challenged throughout the season by Epsom Stingers and Strathdale Victory, but a 1-1 draw between the two teams in Round 12 was enough to give Kyneton a slim two point lead heading into the last few rounds, a lead that they did not give up.

The Under 13s was the story of two of Strathdale teams, Heart and United. After a fairly even first half of the season, the two teams were able to push ahead of the rest of the pack in the second half of the season. With only a couple of points separating the two teams for majority of the season, the match between the two teams in Round 9 would prove to be crucial in deciding which Strathdale team would be Champions. Three goals from Bevan and Riley Tresize were not enough to secure the win as Nicholas Ashman put five away as Strathdale Heart took the points in a 5-3 victory. Heart was able to maintain the gap between the two and eventually ran out the season as Champions.

With 14 wins out of 14 games, scoring 163 goals and only conceding 7, the standout team in the Under 14s competition this year was Kyneton. Their undefeated season concluded last week with a 7-2 win over Spring Gully Green. With goals to Harrison Bucki, Daniel Johnston, Sam and Jacques De Groot, it was a dominating end to a perfect season. Harrison Bucki ended the season with 17 goals, while Daniel Johnston and Jacques De Groot topped the goal scoring charts both with 28 goals.

Another team that went close to a perfect season was the Under 16s Spring Gully Blue team. Apart from a tiny slip up to third placed Epsom in a 3-2 defeat in Round 13, Spring Gully had a fantastic year. Their 3-1 win over Moama back in Round 9 was enough to give them the breathing space needed to run out the season. On the goal scoring charts, the 78 goals scored for the season were spread out evenly between eight players, with Thomas Davies just taking out the teams golden boot with 10 goals, with over half of them coming in just two matches.

In the Senior Competitions, Strathdale were clearly the most successful club taking out the Championship in three out of four Competitions.

The Division One title was secured back in the first week of August after second placed Spring Gully were not able to keep pace and were defeated by Eaglehawk 3-1. The title was seemingly always going to be theirs to lose after their runaway season continued week after week. Their undefeated season carried on from their highly successful 2013 season when they won both the Championship and Cup competitions.

The Division Two Strathdale team was also able to keep second place Spring Gully at bay as the two clubs pulled away from the rest of the competition. Although Spring Gully was able to defeat them in Round 13, the gap between the two was too great and Strathdale were able to hold on and become Champions.

Strathdale’s final Championship winner was the Youth Division team. Under the guidance of Tony Vlaeminck and Jon Bryers, they have taken all before them over the last three seasons, which all lends well for the future of the club, who is already having so much success at senior level.

The Youth team lead by captain Ben Dreschler, have only conceded four goals so far this season, which shows a lot of discipline in the back half, but it is not just their defence that has been so impressive this year, with the team also having scored the most goals, with a massive 59 goals, 12 more then the next best.

The only other club to take out a Senior Competition Championship is Colts United, who was successful in winning the Women’s Division Championship. The girls led the rest of the pack for all 17 Rounds and the title soon became a matter of not if but when. A late charge from runners up Spring Gully kept them on their toes and pushed them all of the way, but it wasn’t enough.

With the likes of Liz Watkins and Alisha Stratford consistently finding the back of the net, United ended up scoring more goals than any other team, whilst only conceding 16 goals.

With four clubs sharing the Championship Trophies on offer, there is still plenty of silverware still up for grabs as the team’s head into the 2014 BASL Finals Series. All of the competing clubs will be eyeing off Grand Final glory with the Junior Finals being held on Saturday the 13^th of September at the Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, whilst the Senior Grand Finals will be held on Sunday 14^th of September at the Tom Flood Sports Centre.

The Bendigo Amateur Soccer League wishes all remaining teams the best of luck for their Finals matches.

BASL would like to thank its major supporters, Bendigo Bank, Sports Power Bendigo and Brewhouse Coffee Roasters.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information contact BASL Operations Manager, Brock Rogers on info@basl.com.au or 0418 982 851.