The 15 boys who won their semi final against Boambee, and went straight through to their grand final berth, will now be the only Bellingen team competing this weekend at C.ex Coffs International Stadium. They will meet the Boambee Bombers again in what is sure to be another tightly fought battle and here’s hoping they can repeat their performance in the semis. Many of last year’s Bellingen 16 boys, now playing for the Urunga 17 boys, will also be playing in the grand final this weekend. Please come out to support all our local lads in Coffs.

Preliminary Finals results

The 14 boys were determined to redeem themselves after their loss in the semis, and their second chance to make the grand final. In a high scoring contest it could have gone either way and Saturday just was not their day. Going down 4-2 in the end to Coffs Coast Pumas in Bellingen. Next year boys!

In a much lower scoring game, the 16 girls just weren’t able to find the back of the net. Their defensive work was commendable, yet the Northern Storm managed to get the only goal they needed at Korora to finish the season for Bellingen. The girls had a great season overall and showed much resilience and great team spirit to get to the preliminaries. Well done team!

The Men’s Second Division result ended in similar fashion to the 16 girls with a 1-0 loss to Sawtell in Toormina. A single goal scored in the nail-biting final minutes of the game ended Bellingen’s season. A solid performance by all players who stood strong against the sting of the first placed Scorpions.

12 Girls

The 12 girls were faced with an immense challenge with an away game against second placed Urunga without six of their usual team mates due to a school camp and illness. The girls were brilliantly supported by three girls from the 10s teams who had never played on the big field, nor with any of the Bellingen 12 girls before. Miyaani Moore-Ronen, Indiana Brodbeck and Tierra Torres Day all proved that the Bellingen girls soccer is sure to have a bright future with these young ones coming up through the ranks! Despite being one goal down at half time, all the girls fought hard, kept their heads up and after a brilliant equaliser by Zoe Ladi looked a strong chance to match the Urunga girls. Our wings, Billie Denman and Cadence O’Brien, ran and ran and ran despite the unexpected heat of the morning. Forward Mia Craggs was unlucky not score on a few occasions. The smallest on the team, our gallant goalie, Freya Marsland Murray stayed strong in the face of many Urunga onslaughts, with plenty of support from defenders Gabi King, Lilly Bellew, and Aaliyah Kubo, until the dying seconds of the game when Urunga managed to sneak a goal past her impressive dive after which the whistle blew. The girls kept their heads high and we were extremely proud of their efforts in the face of adversity.

13 Boys

After an early goal to Bellingen in the 13 boys match versus Macksville, the team were confident to hold their lead. Regrettably that was not to be the case. On their home soil, Macksville came back hard scoring two goals to make their way through to the grand final. Thanks so much Zoom for guiding the boys and girls throughout the season and pulling them together as a team with so much finesse. A few words from the young man himself on their season: “There was a train force of force and friendliness that came chooching its way on to Connell Park in the 13s Division. Not only did they win most of their games but they played with honour, smiles and integrity. Every week, I was blown away with appreciation for what a fine bunch of gentleman and ladies I was given the honour to coach. The tenderness and care they showed for each other and their opponents was perfectly balanced with commitment and grit when needed. This team is a real tribute to the community of Bellingen and the type of people that this town fosters”.