On course to shoot straight

By Gavin Staindl
AFTER taking the state by storm with impressive performances last year, the Doveton under-12 soccer side took time out to hang with soccer enthusiasts from the Doveton Special School last week at Waratah Reserve.
The junior club invited the full squad from the Special School along to a skills and drills day where the two teams trained and practised.
The school then challenged the under-12s to a friendly match before parents and friends organised a sausage sizzle for the two teams to mingle.
“It was a great day,” Doveton manager Tony Depasquale said.
“As good a day as it was, it was good education thing for the kids to get to broaden their knowledge of different people.”
The under-12 side that last year went through 38 games undefeated before falling one game short of becoming state champions have applied to enter into the Junior Masters Australia tournament.
If selected, the Doveton juniors will travel to Sydney in October where they will play the best junior clubs from around Australia.
Last year the under-12 side consisted mainly of nine and 10-year-olds who wanted to play in a higher age group for a greater challenge.
But this year coach Julien Costin is keeping them in the under-12 competition and is expecting even greater things from his side.
“We are playing in our own age group this time so I’m expecting to do very well,” Costin said.
“It is not so much about winning, just more about playing good soccer and doing the correct things.
“But I do expect them to do well and keep improving.”
The Doveton juniors kick off their winter season this Saturday.