GRAYS POINT UNDER 18’S DEFY THE ODDS AT 2022 BATHURST CUP
One of the major success stories to have come out of the recent 2022 Bathurst Cup was Sutherland Shire FA’s Grays Point SC Under 18’s stunning its elite competition by being crowned Champions of their respective age group.
Located on the edge of the beautiful Royal National Park in Sydney’s South, Grays Point SC is a small grassroots club kicking many goals for the 640 plus players donning the club’s colours.
Coached by Peter Slater and managed by Jeff Poulter, Grays Point’s Under 18’s outfit defied all the odds by defeating some stellar opponents which included Capital Football’s Canberra Olympic and Football NSW Boys Youth League Two’s South Coast Flame before taking out the Under 18’s Trophy by defeating another League Two club, Nepean FC on penalties.
Currently in their 57th Sutherland Shire FA season, it was no secret to hear how delighted and proud Grays Point’s proud President Kirk Barden was upon seeing the club’s young troops grab such an honour.
“The club is extremely proud of what this team has achieved by winning the Bathurst Cup which consisted almost entirely of NPL NSW teams, this is an extraordinary achievement,” Barden told Football NSW.
“We are very happy for the boys, their manager Jeff Poulter and coach Peter Slater, who both dedicate much of their time to the team and Peter also very much for the club.”
Barden stated that part of the team’s success came down to how close knit each player was as the squad was formed via friendship groups and school.
“The Grays Point Under 18A team is made up of a mixture of close friends who came together through school and friendship groups to create their own team.
“The core group started playing together four years ago. They are a talented bunch of mates that love football and just play for fun and each other.
“The boys are football role models for our juniors, offering some high-level entertaining games to watch on a Saturday afternoon at our local Possum Park.
“Last season being their first year in the Under 18’s as Under 17-year old’s, things were looking good, sitting in the top three when the season was cut short. This season we are expecting big things to continue, with a strong showing in the 18A’s and especially in the prestigious State Cup.
“Go the mighty Possums.”
By FNSW