Page 452 - NUAFC EBook

2015 Reserve Team Report by Simon Milner

Well what a season and a hard learning curve for all that needs a” team first stars later” attitude to win.
those involved in the Ressie team, including me. It’s hard to Experience and consistency of playing together over
talk about our season without talking about how several years. This is a commodity we lacked this year and
disappointing the results have been with a big zero in the was often the only difference between us and the teams we
win column until Saturday saw our first win 4-2, the first played. Some of the teams we played this year would not
real 90min performance of the season. look out of place in the Premiers Reserves competition we
Some would look at it as a huge failure but there played in in 2014 and after talking to these teams you find
have been many positive and pleasing things that have come out they have been together for years and a large number of
out of this year. I would like to focus on these, rather than them have played first team footy for their club.
the score lines. This is our biggest challenge moving forward and
At the start of the season we had a total of 9 players one we have to come to grips with as a club.
that had played in the very competitive Ressy team for 2014 And finally before I hit you with some stats I would
return. Three of whom were snapped up quickly by the first like to thank some people. Josh thanks for all your help etc
team, DJ, Hayden and Jared. Matt M throughout the season this year. Without your help and leadership I know things
has ended up starting almost as many games for the first as could have gone very pear shaped very quickly. The young
Ressy and a late season call up for Isaac means he too has guys respect and admire you and it is well earned.
become a first team Jared Williams, thanks for your help also. We are a
regular. small club with a very small number of people willing to
Four other Ressy’s have made first teams starts with step up, along with everything else you do your playing
a further 3 (yes that include you Roo) getting game time time, advise and help was great this year thank you.
thought the year. This has for me been one of the pleasing And finally Roo (Andy Bell) not only would you
things to come out of this year. pull your boot’s on with a minutes notice to help out the
This season saw 5 players make their senior debut team but for me you are the true Hero of this club. I shudder
for Nga’s, several had player age-group footy for Nga but to think how much time you have sent this year getting the
most have come straight from high school football to a very grounds ready for all team (be them Senior or Junior) let
competitive men’s league and none of them have looked out alone over the years.
of place.
Once you remove Roo, Kevin, Jared and Josh Stat’ time
(pictured left) from the squad we have an average age of 18 • This year to date we have had 43 players take the field
per squad member with the norm being 17 (yes too young to for the Ressy team.
drink but worse too young to drive for those that have been!) • Not once has the same 11 taken the field on consecutive
and with the experience these young men have got this year games.
it can only but help them in their footballing future. • We have had 5 goal keepers play for us.
Unfortunately with this age group also next year comes the • Ten players have scored for the Ressy team: Dadire
need to move away to further their education, so we will be Odaine, Isaac Barclay, Jack Clarke, Malik El’Badri,
losing 5-6 to other parts of NZ and I hope they take with Hayden Gunn, Reuben Henderson, Jeff Latham, Matt
them the learnings from this year. Milner, Hussain Mohammed & Spencer Young.
• In over 2100 minutes of play we have only given away
So what have we learnt this year? 6 yellows and 1 red (not deserved).
To win you need to train, with numbers often in the • In four games the age difference between the youngest
single digits turning up to training it proved that no matter player and oldest was 36 years.
how talented as an individual you are this is a team game

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