THE opportunity to have 16 promising players gain valuable experience at a state carnival is a major boost for any sporting organisation.
For the Rosewood United Soccer Club, such a feat highlights the positive junior development work being done at the Thagoona fields.
Club president Tammy Crawford was delighted with the zone representation at the latest Queensland Christian Soccer Association (QCSA) state titles at the Sunshine Coast.
“It was the best for the club in quite a few years,” Crawford said, pleased to see the young players exposed to a range of soccer situations.
“It was a great opportunity for our kids out here.”
Apart from the enjoyment and improving skills on the field, the participants learnt from different referees, understood rules better and saw how other clubs operate.
“Especially ones that are outside of our association,” Crawford said. “See how others work, adapt to how others work.”
The 16 Rosewood Crusaders players representing the West Zone were:
U10 boys – Ayton Barry;
U12 boys – Cameron Thompson, Jonathon Fulton, Connor Skerrett;
U13 boys – Ryda Armstrong, Kyan Mader, Atticus Barry, Oliver Sweeney-Perks;
U13 girls – Kayla Fletcher, Aleesia Kilpatrick;
U14 – Allie Fletcher, Renee Kylma, Joel Taylor, William McArthur, Bligh Crawford-Graham;
U16 boys – Harrison McArthur.
Another club representative Troy Armstrong provided a timely coaching view on Rosewood’s latest achievement.
“This year was an outstanding effort with 16 kids that all wanted to go,” said Armstrong, who coached the West Zone under-13 team at the state carnival.
“It was great for the kids and great for the parents – the atmosphere and just that sort of feeling.”
Eight players from his Rosewood under-13 club squad played in the higher level competition.
The young soccer players had to go through testing trials starting in October last year before being chosen in West Zone squads in February and training with the final teams.
Among the family connections were Troy and his son Ryda, Harrison and William McArthur, and Kayla and Allie Fletcher.
Former Rosewood club vice-president Armstrong said the zone players were eligible for a one-day tournament in five weeks and the Scenic Rim carnival at Beaudesert in September.
In the meantime, the players are back with club sides in the QCSA Association premiership competition.
The Crusaders are represented by more than 150 players from Tiny Tots to senior men’s soccer.
Crawford has been club president since October 2021. She is encouraged by player numbers in recent years.
“We are growing a little country club back up to where it should be,” she said.
The Rosewood club started as the Ramblers as early as 1910 when they played at the then Rosewood Reserve.
The club relocated to Thagoona more than two decades ago, becoming the Crusaders.