Organisers of the Wanganui Athletic Junior Football Tournament say their event was success, despite the challenging weather.
Thirty teams took to the fields on Sunday, July 24 to contest trophies in Under 9, Under 11, Under 13 and Under 16 grades.
Severe winds and heavy rain dominated the Wembley Park venue throughout the day, even gusting to gale-force at times. Spells of torrential rain and brief hailstorms added to the mix, but it didn't deter the huge number of players, officials and supporters who turned out for the popular event.
Teams attended from clubs and schools from around the region, travelling from as far afield as Hunterville, Hawera, Ashurst, Kapiti, Wellington and Hokowhitu.
The weather caused an early finish to the tournament, but not before some outstanding football was played. The Under 9 Grade completed their games, with Wellington's Western Suburbs taking out the top trophy they had been gunning for. Other grades have found their winners through points tallies, but the Under 13 Grade will be hotly contested when Athletic Wolverines meet WIS Yellow at a yet-to-be-announced date to play out their semi-final. The winner of that round will travel to Paraparaumu to play Kapiti Coast United in the final match on their home turf.
Event Manager Gary Johnston and his team of volunteers were happy with the results from the day. "Up until lunchtime, the tournament was running to plan, everything was running to time and going well. The referees especially did a great job of keeping things on track.
"The exposure that Wanganui teams had to a higher level of football, especially to the Wellington teams was great."
While it is accepted that football is a winter sport to be played out in the elements, the storm conditions on the day were pretty forceful, causing the organisers to make a judgement on participant safety. Johnston made the decision to wrap up the event early, after the temperature dropped dramatically. "At the end of the day you make the decision based on the safety of the kids, and the players. It's the one thing that I'm not prepared to compromise on, is player safety."
Most hardy were Athletic's own all-girl team the Athletic Starlets who were still posing for team pictures long after most of the teams had left. The tournament prizegiving was forgone, however medals and trophies will be sent out to the winning teams, to be presented at their prizegiving ceremonies.
RESULTS
Under 9 Grade - 1st Western Suburbs Warriors, 2nd Tawa, 3rd Western Suburbs Gladiators.
Under 11 Grade - 1st Upper Hutt, 2nd Hokowhitu.
Under 13 Grade Semi-final playoff between WIS Yellow and Athletic Wolverines, winner to play Kapiti Coast United Storm.
Under 16 Grade - 1st Athletic Royal, 2nd Athletic Youth 1sts, 3rd WHS Saints.
