President's message

Welcome to our final newsletter for what has been a very successful 2011 at Weston Creek. A huge goal was kicked just this week, as we locked in a wonderful coaching staff for the Women's Premier League teams in 2012. I'd like to congratulate the successful coaches Pat, Dave and Donna on their appointment and thank Michelle and Andy who are taking up new opportunities after years of wonderful service.

Below you'll find all the details for our pre-season activities in January, as well as important information about sponsorship opportunities with the club and a summary of Weston Creek's performance across the summer competitions. We also have an update on the Creek's support of Canberra United, who are doing wonderfully at the moment. I enjoyed a day at Deakin with my whole family for their victory over Sydney FC, and encourage you to attend their remaining home fixture against Adelaide United. Plus of course any finals!

Thanks for tireless work of the committee and all our great volunteers. You've helped us take some great strides and we wouldn't still be functioning without you. I look forward to the mid-February registration for juniors (and seniors too – why don’t you encourage Mum or Dad to look into the growing masters talent!)

Did you know FFA turned 100 years old this week? I am sure that football’s profile in Australia will be lifted at a much quicker rate in the next 10 years. It has certainly lifted hugely in the Canberra region and the club looks forward to taking part in that process.

Have a safe and happy holiday season and new year.!

Chris Brown (President)

Weston Creek announces Women's Premier League coaching team

Weston Creek are thrilled to announce new appointments following some recent departures in our Women's Premier League (WPL) coaching staff. In 2012, our WPL team will be coached by Pat Mills. Pat has already achieved significant milestones in Canberra women's football, including:

• four Federation Cup wins;
• two WPL Premierships;
• two WPL League Championships; and
• Women's Coach of the Year 2009.

He is also no stranger to Weston Creek. His previous Creek roles include playing for the Men's Premier League, Reserves and State League 3 teams, and coaching at Girls Under 14, Girls Under 16, Women's Reserve, Women's Premier League and Men's Premier League level. Pat will be ably assisted with other experienced club members Dave Garrity leading the Reserves team and Donna O’Brien continuing to build the U18’s after a great start last year.
 
This will provide Weston Creek with three Advanced Pathway qualified coaches. In addition to Pat's experience, Donna is currently nearing completion of her C Grade Licence and Dave has completed the Seniors Licence coaching courses.

Pre season training will commence on 17 January 2012 and an information session will be close to this date. Keep an eye on the Weston Creek newsletters and website in the new year.

Weston Creek thanks Michelle Aurousseau for coaching the WPL team in 2011 and good luck with her continued development of younger players.We also thank Andy Munoz, who has been with the club for nine years coaching Reserves and formerly State League 1. Andy is moving to his daughter Caitlin’s club, and his dedication and guidance were constant throughout his time here. Both Michelle and Andy are welcome back any time.

Men's pre-season to begin in January

Canberra United and Weston Creek continue strong relationship

On 10th December, Canberra United took on Sydney FC in a W-League top of the table clash. Weston Creek was proudly represented at half time by the Under 9 girls who took on a team from Players FC. Our girls had great field position from the start and played well throughout the 10 minute match. Scoring opportunities were limited but Julia Stanton managed to slot home the winner much to the delight of the large crowd.

The team was represented by Julia Stanton, Chloe Symss, Abbey Mcguire, Ruby Dean, Lucy Jalland, Alyssa     Hancock and Caylin Thompson.

The Canberra United team are still flying high at the top of the W-League table. The girls are looking for 1000 fans to support them at their next home game. Weston Creek Soccer Club is putting out the call. Come along to McKellar Park at 3pm on Saturday 7 January. Show your support to this great Canberra team. Also, keep an eye out for the Weston Creek banner on the day. We'll be trying to take a photo at half-time so come on over when it gets set up!

Around the club - summer football update

Boomerangs FS defeated in ACT Women's Futsal Premier League final
The heavily Weston Creek-populated Boomerangs FS team has gone down to Woden Valley 3-2 in a penalty shootout to decide the 2011 ACT Women's Futsal Premier League final. After a brilliant season, the girls went down in a nailbiter. A full report on the game can be found here: http://capitalfootball.com.au/site/news.php?id=1905.

Lava flowing for Weston Creek
As they break for Christmas, the Weston Creek Under 7's Lava indoor team have a lot to be proud of. With some players backing up from last year and some new to the indoor game, this is a season to develop their skills.

Aaron and Marley lead the attacking raids with determination and speed. Parker shows off his professional coaching skills with great footwork. Ben is a great defender, frustrating the opposition time and again. Luke is perhaps the world best Under 7 goalkeeper (we aren't biased). Nothing gets by him! Lilly is the last line of defense, providing support to the goalkeeper. Capably coached by older brothers, Nicholas and Jackson, the Lava continue to show that Weston Creek Soccer is more than just winter.

Creek putting in a fine showing at women's summer sixes
Weston Creek women’s teams gave a great account of themselves in the Capital Football Summer Sixes competitions held at Waramanga on Sunday evenings. Three WCSC teams played in the top division with the aptly named Let’s Get Messi (Prem Reserves) finishing third on the ladder with a six win, one draw, two loss record. Power forward Cash Dolan kept racking up the goals regularly in a great prelude to the winter season.

The other Prem Reserves side - Bain Train Baggage, missed the top four by the narrowest of margins. The match up between these two sides in the second last round saw the Messi’s go out to a two goal lead only to be run down by the experience of the Bain Train through the second half. A brilliantly taken goal by Kirsty Babington with three minutes to go squared it up for a 2-2 finish.

The State League girls from Girls With Balls remained competitive throughout the competition, playing an open and attacking style of football, ably led from the front by Nikky McCabe. Team Spaced played in the lower of the two Summer 6’s divisions and finished the rounds in fourth position on goal difference with a very creditable 5 win 1 draw 3 loss record.
 
WCSC Black Magic were the big improvers of the competitions and with a win loss of 4-1-4 came home strongly to finish in 5th, missing the playoffs on goal difference. The final game of the competition saw them hammer no less than 5 past a hapless opposition, highlighted by a great headed goal from ‘keeper (yes ‘keeper) Jo Hastings who had run the length of the field to latch on to a throw in by Carolyn Stanistreet to give the keeper no chance. A new urban legend has been born. It will be interesting to see how this story will be retold in a few years time!!!!!

There are three WCSC teams in the top Open Division with the Prem Reserves girls of Let’s Get Messi sitting equal first with an impressive 5 win, one loss record. 15 goals in 6 games speaks volumes for their attacking flair with goal sneaking defender Keely Tonna jagging a few. Emma Wisdom in goal is also performing brilliantly. The other team from the Prem Reserves and U18s is Bain Train Baggage who sit 4 and 2 and hot on the heels of the leaders. Their 13 goals have been well spread with Alana getting rave reviews for her ‘keeping. Look out for the clash of these two teams in the next few weeks as a prelude to the finals.

The final team from SL1, the aptly named Girls With Balls, have three draws and three losses to their credit. With a bit of luck they could be further up the ladder. Well done to all teams – great to see so many WCSC players strutting their stuff.
 
Like Mike notches some wins
It's been a long season for the Weston Creek Men's Div 9's at the ANU Mega Sixes. After being consistently matched against teams from higher full-field divisions, our increased skills have finally come out to shine against more evenly matched opposition. We've won our last two matches on the trot, including one against a team featuring a Weston Creek Div 1 player who shall remain nameless! We're looking good for a potential move up to Men's State League 7 next season, and hope to finish the January games with a flourish.

The Red Rockets
Leonie Megee

They say that good things come in small packages, and this definitely applies to the team 'The Red Rockets'! The pint-sized team of tenacious kids who play Indoor Soccer every Saturday - Finn Mcguire, Ella Jalland, Rhiannon Megee, Ryan Smith, Luca Buttrose and Nathan Megee.  Their ages range from 4 to just 7 years, and every week they show fierce enthusiasm and love for the game well beyond their years.  While some have had outdoor soccer experience, the majority have never played organised soccer before. 

The ease at which they have picked up the game and work together as a team is a joy to watch each week.  We have had comical moments, moments of triumph and even a few tears which makes it very enjoyable to be their coach.  The big smiles I see each week are priceless!  Indoor Soccer is an excellent introduction to the great game of outdoor soccer, it provides a different skill set which is so useful for the outdoor version, while providing a sun-smart sport option over the summer months. 'Go Red Rockets Go!!'

Get Involved with the Club

The annual Weston Creek Soccer Club AGM is planned for March 2012. While all positions will be up for election, the Club is particularly looking for anyone with an interest in helping out as Treasurer or Women's Chair. Both positions will be well-supported by other executive members and the current Treasurer is now available to help train up a replacement.

More broadly, we are always looking for anyone with an interest in volunteering. If you would like more information about the above positions or any other opportunities to help out, please email the President (Chris Brown) at president@westoncreeksoccer.org.au.


If you have any stories or announcements for the Weston Creek Soccer Club newsletter, please contact the editor at media@westoncreeksoccer.org.au. Be sure to send in any great action shots of WCSC players on field or off as well. We'll definitely put them to print, particularly in the category of 'most unusual places to see a WCSC jersey'. We'd love to hear from you!