Both our boys and girls’ teams have thoroughly enjoyed participating in a friendly inter-school Beach Soccer Tournament this past couple of weeks.
Playing on the new TCIFA beach soccer pitch for the first time was exciting. It certainly was a challenge, with the ball not rolling as much as it usually does on grass. It’s hard on your muscles to run in sand, too!
Both teams played really well, with the girls almost reaching the final.
I was impressed by the teamwork, support, skills and sheer determination to keep going, in spite of tiredness and injuries. There was some fantastic defending and some terrific goals. “It felt good to score a goal!” said one of the girls who had scored an amazing goal by chipping the ball over the defenders and over the goalie’s head into the back of the net.
Most of the girls were a little anxious about being in goal, but it was truly wonderful to hear one girl offer to go in so that our goalie could be out on the field. “She needs to be out scoring goals, so I will be goalie,” she said. It was a brave decision for the good of the team, and was one that was soon rewarded. Our goalie went on to score a goal, minutes after being out on the field! Wow!
The children are all keen for us to add beach soccer to our PE programme next year, and with this amazing new facility right on our doorstep, how could we not!
We would like to thank coach Matthew Green from the TCIFA for holding this friendly competition and introduction to beach soccer. Spotting talent amongst our teams, he was keen to encourage children to join in with the TCIFA soccer programme. Find out more on their facebook page.
