Kerang Soccer Club, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Kerang Soccer Club (KSC) held its inaugural Inter-School Soccer Championship at Atkinson Park, Kerang on Sunday, June 2. Koondrook Primary School took the honours, defeating a competitive Kerang South A side 1-0 in the grand final.

Six local primary schools were represented across the 5-a-side tournament – Barham Public, Kerang Christian College, Kerang Primary, Kerang South, Koondrook and St Josephs.

Kerang South arrived with plenty of optimism, having enough players to field two separate teams in the event. However, it was Koondrook that made the biggest statement in the group stages, winning all four of its group matches.

Four teams advanced to the knock-out stages. Kerang South A, for which Mason Hewett was named Player of the Tournament, set up the possibility of an all-Kerang South final by winning its semi-final. Koondrook, however, played to form to knock out Kerang South B in the other semi-final tie.

Goalkeepers and defenders were in inspired form for the grand final, meaning that Zander Martin’s solitary goal was enough for Koondrook Primary to be the first winners of the coveted championship trophy.

KSC president Daniel Michaels reflected on the event saying, “We are absolutely delighted with the enthusiasm shown by both children and parents alike in getting behind this event.

“The club were incredibly grateful to have received Community Club Grant money from the Gannawarra Shire last year and it is through Council’s support and the hard work of our wonderful volunteers that we are able to put on an event such as this.”

KSC treasurer Daniel Roberts added, “As a not-for-profit volunteer club, the generosity of the council’s grant and the support from St Joseph’s Primary (which allows the club to host its regular soccer sessions on its oval) means that our club not only exists, but can also grow. This allows us to offer children in the region an opportunity to be involved in a sport that would otherwise pass them by.”

Kerang Soccer Club will soon be announcing details of its upcoming winter program and is already putting plans in place for a follow up 5-a-side tournament. Until then, the trophy will reside proudly at Koondrook Primary School.

This article appeared in  The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 6 June 2024.