Chris Pyle (left) and Brad Scroop with the under-8 team.
Deniliquin's young soccer stars shone brightly at the Shepparton Cup Tournament last weekend.
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Forty-six local talents donned the colours of the Deniliquin District Soccer Club (DDSC) across four teams.
The Shepparton Cup, Victoria's premier soccer extravaganza, drew a staggering 312 teams and nearly 4000 players from across the nation, battling it out in 21 categories.
For many DDSC players, this was the first time competing against external clubs in a full weekend of high-octane soccer action.
DDSC development officer and head coach Diego Sztejman underscored the tournament's significance for local youth.
“The Shepparton Cup is the first experience for most players to verse external clubs in a full weekend of competitive soccer, which is why DDSC sees this as a valuable opportunity for Deni's youth and lovers of the sport,” he said.
The under-8 boys team, venturing beyond Deniliquin's borders for the first time, displayed grit and promise, clinching victory in their fourth match and earning a window of opportunity to enter the plate semi finals.
The 10/11 years girls team exhibited exemplary sportsmanship in tough encounters, netting two goals and laying the groundwork for increased female participation in the sport.
The under-11 boys team dazzled with three back-to-back wins, securing a spot in the cup semi finals and finishing third overall.
They also received Goal Machine Award status as the third-highest scoring team in their category, averaging an impressive 2.75 goals per game.
The under-13 team overcame a rocky start to reach the cup quarter finals, where they emerged victorious in a heart-stopping penalty shoot-out against Dandenong FC.
The semi final clash also went down to the wire with penalties, but luck was not on their side this time.
Sztejman expressed his appreciation to all involved.
“On behalf of DDSC, I would like to thank all players who fought hard game-after-game, displayed sportsmanship and great behaviour on and off the field, representing our club and our town in a positive, proud manner.”
He also tipped his hat to the parents' dedication and the DDSC committee's generosity in covering the full cost of tournament registration for the young players.
The club is already looking ahead to next year's tournament, with plans afoot to field more girls' teams.
For more information about the Shepparton Cup, visit www.sheppartoncup.com, or Sztejman on 0423 928 553.
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