Casey Panthers under-12 team members, from left, Nathan, Robert, James, Kiah, Mario, David, Navil, Tylah, Andrew, Chris, Connor, Adrian, Steven, Mason, Cristian, Jake and Callum are beating the odds on the soccer pitch. 21457By Marc McGowan
A JUNIOR soccer club looks set to defy the odds, and win the first championship in its five-year history this season.
The Casey Panthers have no home ground, an under-sized training venue and in the club’s founder John Romero’s words: “no identity”.
But despite having everything against them, the Panthers’ under-12 team is six points clear on top of the table in the Boys South 12 E competition, with two rounds left.
Casey plays its home matches at Hampton Park United Soccer Club’s Reedy Reserve, and trains at Oatlands Primary School’s oval.
Casey Council is developing a ground for the club behind its current training venue, which it plans to have available for use from the start of next season.
Panthers president Debbie Dudley, whose 15-year-old daughter Sheridan coaches at the club but competes elsewhere, hopes the new ground will stop the trend of players leaving the club.
“Everyone gets impatient because we have no clubrooms or grounds, and after a few years they get sick of it and move to other clubs,” she said.
“We’re a very determined club, and we place a lot of emphasis on the kids enjoying sport and respecting others.
“It’s not so much about going out to win, because we feel if you play to enjoy sport then success will follow.”
Casey has around 90 registered members and five competitive teams, but Romero, who coaches the club’s girls under-13 team, said it was best known for its character.
“We are a good little club, and have a good reputation in the area,” he said.
“We play fair, have never had any complaints from any other clubs and just try to have fun.”
The best result the club has had previously is a fourth placing, but the under-12 team is certain to better that.
The side completes the season with games against the bottom two teams in the league, meaning the Panthers should add another pair of victories to their record of 14 wins, one draw and one loss.
Former State League player Mark Wells took over the coaching of the under-12 squad this season, but takes no credit for the great performances.
“Each week the parents congratulate me, but it’s really the kids – all I do is corral and co-ordinate them a bit,” he said.
“When they’re out on the ground I have a little bit of influence, but it’s really the kids.
“In my first year of coaching, it’s a pleasure to have such a good group of kids.”
Wells is frustrated at the lack of facilities, and is looking forward to his players having a home next season.
“The club really needs to have its own identity … we’ll get more kids next year, because people will see we’ve had a bit of success,” he said.
“It would be a bit of a shame if we had to turn kids away because we couldn’t cope with the volume.”
