U11 Hawks show how it's done

Playing what was supposed to be a home game against Upwey/Tecoma at Seville on Sunday the U11's showed everyone present what it means to be a great sports team. Did they play with determination? Absolutely, the second and third efforts made us proud. Did they look to each other? No doubt, with some of the best unselfish plays and team moments I've seen this year. Did they listen to their coach and adapt their play when things weren't going right? Yep, they did all that... and they also did something very special.

U/T arrived at the ground with only 14 players, their U10s couldn't help make up the numbers as they were playing at a different ground. The Hawks agreed to a 16-a-side contest and rotated two of our players to U/T each quarter. The game that followed was amazing, but not for the reasons you might think. Did the Hawks win? They sure did, but that isn't it. Did they show us that they're improving, building their skills, talking to each other? Yep, but that isn't it either. Were they hard at the ball, tackling opponents and getting in front? Too right, but that's not the whole story.

It's not easy to sub-in for the other team, to wear their jumper and pick up a teammate as though they're opposition. A lot of players might react to this by taking it easy, not putting their heart into playing their best in another teams jumper. That certainly wasn't the eight junior Hawks in U/T jumpers on Sunday, they were typically found around the ball, had lots of possessions and didn't take a backwards step. Those eight players and their fellow teammates for supporting them can hold their heads high.

Josh, Thomas and Laura Mac in the 1st Q.
Aussie and Kai L. in the 2nd Q.
Baz and Archer in the 3rd Q.
Haydos and Mitch D. in the 4th Q (Mitch scored a goal!).

Well done U11 Hawks, great sportsmanship on display, very classy stuff.