Awakeri Soccer Club... the Greatest Junior Soccer Club in New Zealand

August 12th 2000

It was ice-creams for all, after the 8th grade Awakeri Magic’s game against a strong Otakiri team. In what was Magic’s best team performance of the year, it was decided by all parents that a stop at the Awakeri Store was a fair reward for the children’s excellent efforts. In a very exciting, but fiercely contested game, both sides had their chances to score, but were denied by some desperate tackling. Paul Haslam was named player-of-the-match for his determination in attack and defence. Others to play well were Judah Marshall and Amy Falwasser. The final result was a nil all draw.

Total Power Services Awakeri Rangers lost 4 - 0 in their 8th grade game against James Street. After a very good game, Indiana Brown was player-of-the-match for Rangers. Defenders Vikki Lowndes and Joseph Newdick also did well, with Newdick making some strong tackles. Emma Barr was also in top form.

The David da Silva Awakeri Autos 9th Grade played the Opotiki Magpies at Opotiki. The full squad of 12 made it over for the game. Opotiki spent most of the 1st half attacking Awakeri's goal .Thanks to good defence only one goal was scored that half. In the second half, Opotiki scored again. Down 2-0, Awakeri got a boost with a penalty kick well taken by Jonathon Hudson, resulting in a goal. A good team move had the ball near Opotiki's goal and after a lot of passing, the ball trickled through to secure a 2 - 2 draw just before full time.

In the 11th grade A division, Gould Contracting Awakeri Hotshots all competed well against a tough James street side. Player-of-the-match Lance Robison performed heroics in goal, making a lot of good saves. Michael Etter was strong at the back, while Melanie Hancox and Rink Tacoma both worked hard in the midfield.

Sarah Macdonald continued her good form, as Adamson’s Amcal Pharmacy Awakeri Athletic lost 4 - 0 to James Street in the 11th grade B division. Macdonald earned the player-of-the-match award. Simon Barr did well in the unusual role for him, in the midfield. He was well supported there by Max Butler. Golakeeper Adam Rutland acquitted himself well, while Christine Scott showed courage in coming back on after being injured, and playing well.

In the 13th grade, Awakeri Store Strikers applied all the pressure in the first half, but couldn’t score against Whakatane One, until Liam Fitzgerald turned in a corner. In the second half, Whakatane came more into the game. However, Rebecca Geddes did well in the unaccustomed position of striker. She beat the well-performed Whakatane keeper to the ball in a close challenge. She then managed to get back up and put the ball in the goal before the defence could get back. Whakatane made then final ten minutes interesting when they pulled a goal back, after a series of good raids. In the end, Harrison Brown made the game safe for Strikers, when he went on a good run down the left and then cut across ther face of goal, drew the keeper and scored to seal a 3 - 1 win. Strikers’ player-of-the-match was Simon Turner, who had a very competitive tussle on the field and then showed some class in the goal late in the game. The Strikers defence of Matthew Barr, Lisa Lowndes, Sonya Pettinger and Nicholas Haslam laid a good foundation for the team performance.

In the 6th grade, Awakeri Hurricanes had one of their best games of the season, in a 1 - 1 draw with Ohope. They all got stuck in and the play ranged from end to end, cheered on by the large number of supporters of both teams on the sideline. Jayden Haddock brought joy to his team-mates when he scored a good goal. Nathan Hudson’s determination brought him the player-of-the-match award. Goalkeeper Joel Ingle played very well in his position, and Sam Schuler covered well and made some excellent clearances from defence.

Awakeri Draintech Diggers played a very competitive Kawerau team in the 6th grade. They all played well, with Gareth Rowlands named player-of-the-match. Sydney Jones was another to impress, making some good saves in goal. Kawerau won the game 3 - 0.

In the 7th grade, Awakeri Blues played well against Edgecumbe. Devon Swart (2) and Waylon Skipps scored the goals to secure a 3 - 0 win. Miles McConway was brilliant in goal, keeping Edgecumbe out and earning a share of the player-of-the-match nomination with Swart. Selena Shaw and Carlene Steer also had top games.

Oliver Butler was named player-of-the-match for Peter Clark Ltd Awakeri when they met Otakiri in the 7th grade. Butler went on some good runs and tackled well. Both Lindsey Cotter and Brent Gurran had a lot of work to do in their turns in goal, and they made some good stops. Harry Cotter showed good positional sense, defending very welll for Awakeri. Otakiri ran out the winners 5 - 0.