It was a jam-packed day at Coffs Football Centre for the 2022 Champion of Champions tournament. The gloomy overcast conditions did not astray a day out of energetic football as the crowd and players combined created a vibrant, charismatic atmosphere.
The junior girls concluding rounds and finals commenced the day with the under-12s quick-fire 10-minute games serving as a taster before the last regular draw games and the subsequent electric finals.
Afterwards, the boys began their respective matches, showcasing exceptional skill as they warm into the competition.
Under-12s Girls: Northern cause a Storm
The revised draw for the under-12s girls due to the three-way tie on the table witnessed an early kick-off time at 8:30am as the three sides squeezed in one final round to determine the finalists.
Stockton and Northern Storm played some entertaining end-to-end football but could not register a shot, meaning a penalty shoot-out took place to decipher a winner to take an extra point alongside the one for the draw.
Northern Storm’s number nine, Eva Corsalini, buried her penalty into the top left corner for the win as the Coffs-based side planted one foot into the grand final.
Northern Storm would have a repeat of their fixture against Stockton, convincingly winning on penalties against Port United.
In the determinative game between Port United and Stockton, Ruby Holmes scored the winner with a breakaway, pacing past the defence, finishing the move, and sending Port United to the final.
After an unprecedented tight competition in the 12s girls Champion of Champions tournament, Northern Storm flipped the script and drowned Port United in goals, banging four into the net.
Pippa Dodd opened the account for Northern Storm, scoring a whopper from long range with the goalkeeper misjudging the bounce due to the slippery conditions. The goal gave Storm the advantage at half time.
But the second half was an absolute goal-fest for Storm. The nimble Eva Corsalini positioned herself for a well-placed header. Shortly after, Dodd scored her second long-range effort, expertly lobbing the goalkeeper.
Corsalini set the final stone on Port United, picking up the scraps from Dodd’s shot, slotting it into the goal, and crowning Northern Storm the under-12s girls Champion of Champions.
Under-14s Girls: Maitland complete the treble
The under-14s still had one round of football left to determine the final standing.
Playing concurrently on all pitches, Byron Bay and Maitland JFC took 2-0 and 1-0 wins, respectively. While in the first-against-last match, Cooks Hill United obliterated Garden Suburb over the 40 minutes, taking a convincing 6-0 win with Grace Pigram and Sofia Gordon scoring a brace.
With the completion of the final round, the stage was set for an Interdistrict derby between Cooks Hill United and Maitland JFC. Despite Maitland dominating the local Interdistrict competition, Cooks Hill finished top with a +11-goal difference in the Champion of Champions table.
Maitland struck early in the final through a goal from number 5. Despite the lead, the Magpies would have to be weary as the same scenario on day two played out with Maitland, going up early but capitulating to Cooks Hill 2-1.
As the final panned out, Maitland continued to pile on the pressure and gave Cooks Hill United little hope to score, resulting in Maitland JFC being crowned the under-14s girls Champion of Champions. In doing so, the side picked up the treble, adding to their Interdistrict 14A premiership and championship.
Tintenbar East Ballina picked up the win in the third-against-fourth final, with Nikki Settree scoring the lone goal. At the same time, sixth-placed Garden Suburb remained winless throughout the tournament, losing 1-0 in the second half to Byron Bay.
Under-16s Girls: North Coast rivalry ignited
Coffs City United almost acquired a win against fellow North Coast representatives Bellingen. A stellar goal from Rylee Wilson put the Lions 1-0 up, but a mix-up in defence shortly after gave Bellingen a lucky break before they met again in the final.
Bellingen confirmed their dominance in the Champion of Champions girls under-16s sector, squeezing past a talented but tiring Coffs City United to achieve the title of Champion of Champions.
Striker Ellie Field capitalised on the slippery conditions, powering a shot along the synthetic ground beneath the goalkeeper and giving the Bats a lead against a persistent Coffs City United.
As the game weathered, Coffs City grew into the match and were on the front foot for most of the second half, creating an abundance of chances. Ultimately, crucial efforts in the penalty area from Bellingen goalkeeper Tiara Salmon ensured her side the victory.
It was an achievement for Coffs City United to make the final, who made their way down from the Premier Invitational tournament in Gold Coast on Monday.
The two sides will face again this weekend in the North Coast Football under-16 girls semi-final.
Byron Bay’s 16s also won their fifth-against-sixth placed matchup, beating Nelson Bay 1-0 thanks to a Molly Dodd goal. Meanwhile, Sawtell FC completed a North Coast top three finish, downing Maitland 3-0.
Captain for Maitland JFC 16s, Matilda Gollan, spoke on the festivities of the Champion of Champions tournament.
“I like the atmosphere; everyone is really nice,” Gollan said.
“The management, the referees, and the teams are really nice. I think the best thing about [Champion of Champions] is, obviously, the fields are great, and the location is really good. [It is] close to town where everyone is staying, so it’s not that far of a drive. It’s really good overall.”
As the girls tournament’s curtains drew to a close, the boys were prepped and ready to initiate their opening fixtures for the tournament.
Twenty teams entered the boys tournament across the ages of under-12s, 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s, with the 13s and 14s playing in a combined competition.
Under-12s Boys: One for the memory bank between Valentine and Sawtell
Alstonville handed Gunnedah a reality check during the curtain raiser for the under-12s, thumping the Northern Inland side 4-0 with Aeryion Smith, Fynn Willows, Bailey Titcume, and Kayden Muller. Meanwhile, Valentine and Nelson Bay shared the spoils with a 1-1 draw. Cougar Compton and Muhammad Kareem scored, respectively.
The later fixtures provided an outright classic between Valentine FC and Sawtell FC.
Noah McGrath scored the opener for Sawtell, but Cougar Compton equalised and scored another soon after, giving Valentine a 2-1 lead midway through the first half.
Che Wherban and an own goal gave Sawtell the lead again, but the clinical Compton completed his hattrick leaving the game all-square with 10-to-go.
Sawtell had the win in their grasps, but Levi Godbee of Valentine scored a cracker from 35-metres out with the game's final kick.
Gunnedah and Maitland JFC, and Alstonville and Nelson Bay drew 0-0.
Under-13/14s Boys: Teams still testing the waters
Only one round of football was played for the under 13s/14s competition + on day three of Champion of Champions.
Byron Bay 14s cruised past Coffs City United 13s 3-0 with goals to Valley Christou, East Soria, and Bon Warton.
In an all under-13s game, Western Phoenix comfortably took care of Iona SC. Coby Annetts scored early in the game, with Joshua Baxter sealing a comfortable lead at half time.
Trent Alley gave Iona a lifeline just after half time, but the persistence of Western Phoenix paid off with defender Jaxson Clay rocketing the ball into the net, ending the fixture 3-1.
Alstonville 14s edged past Coffs City United 14s 1-0, with Levi Priddle scoring the only goal.
Under-15s Boys: Alstonville, Bolwarra charge ahead
Alstonville and Bolwarra Lorn opened the 15s boy's section of the tournament with wins.
Goals for Haylen Balfour, Charlie Collins and a penalty for Darcy Hampson saw Alstonville sail to the top of the table. Bolwarra followed in hot pursuit with a 2-0 win over Port United through goals from Leo Paleologos and Kristian Cousins.
Bolwarra and Alstonville continued their winning ways against Sawtell and Port United, respectively, setting up a firing contest between the two sides first thing tomorrow morning.
Under 16s Boys: Valentine win lone game
Valentine carried over their dominance from their local Interdistrict competition. Tom Kennedy and Kade Godbee found the back of the net in a physical contest against the walking-wounded Northern Storm.
All the action for the under-16s will take place tomorrow, including the Northern Storm-Alstonville fixture, which was postponed till tomorrow afternoon at 3pm.
Explainer: How the Champion of Champions works
The Northern NSW Football Champion of Champions tournament brings together the best youth community football teams from across NNSWF's seven Member Zones' top competitions to challenge for the title of Champion of Champions in their age group.
In a change to previous formats, in 2022 all clubs are invited to enter any teams competing in their Member Zone’s top division. The tournament kicked off on Monday and will see seven age groups across girls and boys competitions to determine the NNSWF community football Champion of Champions.
More about the 2022 Champion of Champions tournament can be found HERE.
Key Champion of Champions Information: