Tamworth U14 Boys are ready for action this weekend. (Front from left) James Newberry, Pat Hofman, Isaac Moxon, Luke Buckley and Jack Power. (Back from left) Jayden Gimbergh, Tom Price, Lachie Wheeler, Alex Taggart, Luke Johnstone, Will Clinch and Kane Clinch. Absent: Luke Dignell. Photo: Barry Smith 310113BSF02
TAMWORTH’S U14 boys have come a long way since they first formed.
The main focus has been the state championships, and this weekend at Woy Woy they’ll get the chance to test themselves against the best in the state.
It is a relatively young side, with six of the players still only 12.
At the start of the season it was more about blooding the younger players and giving them the experience for future years but they’ve shown coach Lawrence Mihell they should do well.
“I’m confident we’ll have a good showing,” Mihell said.
Especially after the way they performed in the Wyong Cup a couple of weeks ago.
Mihell didn’t go down but assistant coach Sean Hofman did.
“He said they went extremely well,” Mihell said.
“They were a bit slow to start the first game but the next two games they won.”
They finished with a 4-1 loss to Newcastle, which was still a good result, and had more scoring opportunities.
Since then they’ve been working on improving their shooting, tightening up in defence – pushing up and not allowing the shooter to get a good shot away – and their extra mans and passing.
“Good, crisp, clean passing is what we need,” Mihell said.
Not across the water, but in the air and to the player.
Mihell said they had improved that over the past couple of weeks and had been scoring some nice goals from cross-passes.
Tamworth has been drawn in Pool B alongside Balmain Gold (B), Breakers (B), UNSW Wests (A) and Central Coast Blue (B) against whom it starts its campaign at 8.45am today.
