The Northern Tasmania Junior Soccer Association (NTJSA) have once again sent four of their representative sides on a flight over the Bass Strait to compete at this year’s Kanga Cup tournament.
The NTJSA oversees the footballing operations in Northern Tasmania for boys and girls aged 5-16 and forms representative teams to compete in tournaments within Tasmania and interstate events such as the Kanga Cup.
“The NTJC has been here a few times, and we love coming here, it’s a great tournament, well organised, friendly and it’s a really good football atmosphere,” Richard Jones, coach of the Northern Tasmania U13 Open Plate team said.
“We really love it here, it’s terrific, well organised and the guys are loving it, since COVID and everything else it’s just great seeing kids play football.”
Jones and his team are excited at the prospect of facing new and perhaps tougher opposition but still hold an emphasis on having the most enjoyable time possible.
“It’s all about positive things, positive experiences, meeting different people and playing different against different teams,” he said. “The standards are probably a bit higher than what we’re used to and it’s a challenging environment for the guys which is great.
“We have a great bunch of boys; they love each other’s company and it’s going to be an amazing experience for them. It’s also about life skills, participation, guys enjoying the game all getting plenty of time on the field and enjoying what we’re doing.”
Jones is honourably proud to coach a Northern Tasmanian representative side and believes the Kanga Cup is a perfect experience in combing football with a team bonding trip that generates life-lasting memories off the field as well.
“It’s a privilege to coach this team, we all know it can be challenging at times as a coach but overall, it’s all positive,” Jones commented. “Yes, it’s about football but it’s also about the trip with the group, sometimes these guys haven’t been away with a team before so it’s always a new experience.”
Jones aspires for more kids to play football in Northern Tasmania, to grow the sport in the region and Kanga Cup is a great opportunity for their community to become closer and further aligned in driving participation numbers up.
“Participation needs to be prioritised,” he revealed. “It’s about getting the numbers bigger, stronger and really focusing on growing the smaller clubs within the association, because we want a more even competition.”
After drawing 1-1 with Northbridge FC in their first game, Jones’ U13 side has to play Gungahlin United Lightning, Marist Canberra FC Royal and Western NSW Football Orange in the remaining games of their group.
Words: William Rumgay
