Melbourne City FC hosted a successful Premier Schools Tournament that incorporated some of the state’s top schools, as they fought to be crowned the champions of Victoria.
The competition’s group stage was held over two days at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, where teams competed for a spot in the final, which was hosted at City’s training base, the City Football Academy (CFA) in Bundoora.
Girls Group Stage Wrap
On Wednesday 4 September, the Premier Schools Tournament group stage for girls was held at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex. All participating teams qualified for the group stage as champions of their respective school association leagues.
Participating Teams:
- St Monica’s College, Epping – Champions of SACCSS
- Kardinia International College – Champions of GISSA
- Padua College – Champions of SIS
- Mater Christi College – Champions of SCSA
- Overnewton Anglican Community College – Champions of ACS
- Bialik College – Champions of EISM
- Ballarat Clarendon College – Champions of BAS
It was an action-packed day of football fun in Melbourne’s South-East as teams participated in a competitive tournament, all determined to reach the final.
Special mentions from the day go to the following teams and individuals:
- #28 Overnewton – Congratulations to Emily Jurgec for scoring a hattrick in one game. (v Bialik College)
- #17 Mater Christi College – Zarli Vandenberg dribbles half the field through multiple defenders before producing a brilliant finish into the bottom corner. (v Padua College)
- Padua Goalkeeper, Indy Scarr, produced an impressive performance despite being down to nine players against Mater Christi.
- #55 St Monica’s College – Racquel Deralas produced an audacious lob to beat the goalkeeper from 30 yards.
- Tight Semi-final between Kardinia and Overnewton: Overnewton pulled it back from a 0-2 to 4-4 But Kardinia #9, Maddison Kaddic, finished it off for Kardinia with a belter from outside the penalty box into top corner to qualify for the final.
Boys Group Stage Wrap
On Friday 6 September, City hosted the boys group stage at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.
Participating Teams:
- St Monicas’, Epping – Champions of SACCSS
- Christian College Geelong – Champions of GISSA
- St Francis Xavier College – Champions of SIS
- Camberwell Grammar School – Runners up of AGSV
- Overnewton Anglican Community College – Champions of ACS
- Emmaus College – Champions of EISM
- St Patrick’s College, Ballarat – Champions of BAS
- Mazenod College, Victoria – Champions of ACC
Special mentions from the day go to the following teams and individuals:
- # 24 Camberwell Grammar – Congratulations to Tristan Patsiotis for his impressive performances in all matches
- #10 Mazenod College, Victoria v St Francis Xavier – #10 Nicholas Hamakiotis scoring a brilliant goal in the first game to break the deadlock.
- Christian College Geelong Goalkeeper, Henry Turner, continued saviour of Christian College Geelong’s team in all group matches.
Premier Schools Tournament Final
Both the girls final and the boys final took place on the City Football Academy synthetic pitch on Thursday 12 September.
The girls final was between two fierce competitors, St Monica’s College from Epping, and Kardinia International College, who made the trip down from Geelong. Played in great spirits, St Monica’s proved too strong, running out 6-0 winners.
Special mentions from the Girls Final go to the following:
- # 55 St Monica’s College, Epping – Congratulations to Raquel Deralas for her two goals and overall, Player of the Final with her control of the game, calmness and assists for her forwards in the game.
- #37, St Monica’s College, Epping – Congratulations to Tiarna Stella for also scoring two goals in the final.
- #23, #8 and #44 St Monicas’ College, Epping – Congratulations to Grace Acosta, Sienna Cappola and Nikki Mackovski for being the other goalscorers
- #71 and #3 Kardinia International College (Geelong) – Congratulations to Josie Lonsdale and Maddison Rakic for impressing the Melbourne City staff and A-League players for their performances on the pitch
The boys final was played between Overnewton Anglican Community College and Mazenod College. After a tense battle with the scores locked at 1-1, the game headed to penalties, where Mazenod were crowned champions, running out 4-3 winners in the shootout.
Special mentions from the Boys Finals go to the following:
- # 10 Overnewton Anglican Community College – Congratulations to Luca Iannucci for his overall performance in the final.
- #7 Mazenod College, Victoria – Congratulations to Nishan Velupillay for his free kick goal to equalise and his winning penalty in the shootout. Player of the Final.
Congratulations to all competing teams on a fantastic tournament!
