Balgownie, Shellharbour crowned 2023 Champion of Champions to complete invincible seasons
In an incredible weekend for Illawarra football, two junior football clubs emerged as the best of the best in their Champion of Champions grand finals. Meet the history-makers.
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In a terrific weekend for junior football in the Illawarra, both Shellharbour under-18s and Balgownie under-14s emerged victorious in their Champion of Champions grand finals.
Incredibly, this meant that both teams finished their 2023 season undefeated and with nine trophies shared between them.
Defeating Manly Vale 3-0 in the under-18s grand final was the remarkable Shellharbour JFC under-18s, with coach Ben Thurgar recalling the “amazing” feeling at full-time.
“I feel like it’s something that in time we’ll all appreciate even more as to how special this season really was,” Thurgar said.
“Looking around and seeing the sheer joy and smiles on everyone's faces … it’s a testament to the girls and how hard they worked this year.”
In the blistering 30 degree heat of Western Sydney, three set-piece goals from Isabelle Kadwell, Mia Fleming and Lucy Seten were enough to see them over the line.
The Champion of Champions triumph was their fifth trophy of the year after their youth league minor premiership, youth league grand final win, State Cup win and IWPL Club Championship.
Across 25 games this season, the incredible line-up of Shellharbour stars scored 116 goals, conceding just 10 and keeping 15 clean sheets.
“It’s quite a diverse group we have: there are three 15-year-olds, six 16-year-olds and seven 17-year-olds,” Thurgar said.
“Lots of them go to different schools, there’s a good mix of cultures and backgrounds as well.
“What matters though is they all genuinely care and look out for each other. There’s no egos, everyone knows their roles and they all fight for one another.
“I’m blessed to say as well that we have 16 girls turning up every single week, ready to play for each other, and that’s a credit to them.”
While the attackers will take the spotlight a lot, Thurgar had great praise for his defensive unit for their consistency throughout the year, namely big-minute centre back Isabelle Kadwell.
Jessica Bell and Taya Tolson were invaluable in the midfield both in attack and defence, while Mia Fleming was a standout in front of goal all year round.
Shellharbour JFC: 40. Isabelle Kadwell, 41. Kyara Christensen, 42. Tahlia Santalab, 43. Sienna Doering, 45. Charlize Fedele, 46. Mia Fleming, 48. Claire Kadwell, 49. Jessica Bell, 50. Mikaela Markovski, 51. Sofia Mieli, 52. Indiana Mimoso, 53. Matilda Pearson, 54. Lucy Seten, 55. Alyssa Vassallo, 57. Taya Tolson, 60. Scarlett Thurgar
Also creating their own slice of history in the Illawarra was Balgownie JFC who were declared Champion of Champions in the under-14s division.
Defeating Eschol Park FC 2-0 in the grand final, Balgownie picked up their fourth trophy in an invincible season where they scored 95 goals and conceded just seven.
Head coach Earle Canvin puts the success of season 2023 down to hard work and a willingness to go the extra mile.
“Nobody trains harder and more often than those boys,” Canvin said.
“It’s their willingness to train and learn that sets them apart.
“I’ve had them for three years now and have become fond of them all, not just as footballers, but as young men.
“It’s so rewarding to see them grow into great footballers and great young men, it’s reflective of the way they were raised and the way they conduct themselves off the field.”
A goal either side of halftime from attacker Joel Buckley and centre back Samuel Burke was enough for Balgownie to prevail in a “typical scrappy grand final”.
It’s the ninth time the club has emerged victorious in the Champion of Champions competition, the first time since their under-13s triumph in 2011.
This team however has entered the history books as the first to win the quadruple: league minor premiership, league grand final, State Cup champions and now Champion of Champions.
Canvin pointed out a couple of individuals who stood out among the talented crop of Balgownie boys consistently throughout the year, namely their captain and goalkeeper Tristan Pradhitama, whose comfort and ability on the ball was so important to the side throughout the year.
Grand final goalscorer Samuel Burke was a leader through action from the back and a big contributor to their incredible defensive record.
Ben Garbutt and Oscar Holden Kim provided so much from the engine room in the middle of the park with their tireless work, as did attackers Oliver Smede and Joel Buckley who were consistent locators of the back of the net.
The success throughout the year is made even more special by the fact that it’s the 140th year anniversary of Balgownie FC, the oldest registered senior club in the area.
“To achieve something so special in the anniversary year is great for the club,” Canvin said.
“The boys are still so young, who knows what kind of journey life is going to take them on.
“In 10 years time though for the 150th anniversary, I hope we still see some of them lining up every weekend at 3pm in Balgownie colours.”
Balgownie JFC: 1. Tristan Pradhitama, 2. Mitchell Lynam, 3. Eli Bate, 4. Tomoki Henderson, 5. Oliver Smede, 6. Ben Garbutt, 7. Oscar Holden Kim, 8. Samuel Ugonotti, 9. Henry Sargent, 10. Luke Green, 11. Samuel Burke, 12. Harrison Faulks, 13. Francisco Martin, 14. Jacob Donev, 15. Joel Buckley
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