The Far South Coast (FSC) Football Association has returned to the KEEPUP Kanga Cup in 2023. Many Canberrans go to the south coast every summer but this time the tables have turned.

The FSC U14 boys have been working hard for years to be able to compete together at tournaments like these. Going from rivals to teammates can be difficult for some but not these boys who play together as if they’ve been doing it their whole lives!

The FSC Football Association puts together representative teams for tournaments like the KEEPUP Kanga Cup, from clubs all over southern NSW. From Bemboka to Mallacoota (Victoria), and everywhere in between, these boys have come together to play football.

FCS U14 boys’ Head Coach, Mark Anderson says it’s a lot of hard work bringing these boys together but worth it for tournaments like the KEEPUP Kanga Cup.

“We train twice a week nearly the whole year. The guys have been together in this outfit for a few years now, so they do know each other pretty well,” he said.

“It’s been really good; we’ve cemented ourselves in the top four now. But the boys are looking ahead to finals.”

The FSC U14’s will look to add KEEPUP Kanga Cup silverware to their trophy cabinet, which is ever-growing after their victorious experience at the Southern Branch Championships in Goulburn. At this tournament Anderson was particularly proud of the team.

“My son Hayden got the player of the tournament, so I’m very proud of him for doing that. He’s got a cracking left foot on him,” he said.

“There was three of our teams who went to Goulburn. We won that and so did the u16’s team, who are here in Canberra with us.”

Anderson is quick to praise all the boys for their hard work, but especially one young star, Cowen, who travels interstate for each training session.

“Kalani (Cowen) is from Mallacoota and he has to travel about an hour and a half for training. I am proud of the efforts he’s made to turn up for training and he’s improving as well.”

The improvements don’t stop at training for the FSC U14 boys. At the KEEPUP Kanga Cup, they have gone from good to great, picking up three wins already. The tournament has allowed them to build confidence in themselves, while playing against some of the best teams in the country.

“It opens our eyes up to how good the competition is. Our styles a bit faster and physical and it helps show we can be competitive with the Sydney teams if we really give it a go.”

Words: Henry Ricketts