Geraldton Junior Soccer Association fields 10 teams for annual junior country week tournament in Perth

Geraldton Junior Soccer Association recently took their talents down to Perth for Football West’s country week competition. The week-long competition featured the best talent the regions have to offer. The Geraldton Junior Soccer Association fielded seven boys and three girls teams. GJSA country week co-ordinator Shell Johnson said they extended the opportunity to play to athletes from surrounding regions that did not have enough players to field a side in the competition. “This year we took players from other regions such as Newman, Albany and Kalgoorlie because we tend to struggle to fill team numbers,” Johnson said. “It means that the girls get to mix and meet new friends from different regions.” The tournament in September enabled the young athletes to showcase their skills in Perth against other regional teams. Geraldton’s under-17 boys took out top honours, winning their division after dropping only one game out of nine. Another Geraldton stand-out was GJSA under-14 superstar Giuliana Sansone, who won the under-14’s girls fairest and best award after a great tournament. Johnson said it was a big deal for the young athletes regardless of the results. “It’s their World Cup,” she said. “It is so beneficial for them even if they don’t win; just to see them having fun while representing Geraldton is special. “Sometimes we aren’t that competitive, we realise that, but what it builds for the kids in terms of teamwork, resilience, character memories as well is so important for their development.” The planning for country week started in March when Johnson advertised for coaches before forming the teams that competed in Perth. “To have 10 teams represent Geraldton in Perth, which is the most one association can take, is really promising for the growth of the game in the regions,” she said. GJSA will hold their wind-up and awards night on Sunday, October 27, at Rovers Soccer Club at Alexander Park.