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Hello Team Western! Welcome to the latest edition of the Western AFC Junior eNewsletter! We’re thrilled to bring you all the exciting updates and highlights from another fantastic weekend of youth football. Our young athletes continue to shine, and we can’t wait to share their achievements with you. Our Grade 9 & 10 kids have finished for the season and are having a friendly this weekend against Papanui-Redwood, we are still awaiting details from them regarding which field you will be playing on. It will be either Westminster or Redwood Park. Fun Football & First Kicks this is your last week. Also, don’t forget Derby Day next Saturday 7th September (more info below). Weekend Wrap-Up: Celebrating Our Junior Stars This past weekend was a showcase of impressive performances and unforgettable moments across all age groups at Western AFC. Each team brought their best game, and the energy on the field was truly electric. From dazzling goals to superb teamwork, our junior stars have once again made us incredibly proud! Reflecting on the season as a whole, it’s been nothing short of spectacular. To say I’m proud is an understatement. The growth, passion, and commitment shown by our players have been inspiring. Watching you all develop and excel has been a joy, and we are so grateful for your enthusiasm and dedication. A massive thank you is due to our amazing kids—your hard work and perseverance shine through every game. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to our parents, grandparents, siblings, and even our furry friends for your unwavering support and encouragement each week. Your presence and positivity make all the difference! We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible coaches. Your dedication, time, and passion for the game are truly unmatched. The impact you’ve had on our players’ development is invaluable, and we couldn’t do it without you. We love our Western AFC family and are so proud of everything we’ve achieved together this season. Here’s to celebrating our successes and looking forward to many more great moments on and off the field. Weekend Highlights FIRST KICKS - Guys!!! What an amazing weekend of football! Had the best 2nd to last session, looking forward to our last session next weekend at Westminster Park. Thank you to everyone who came down to Redwood Park to have a look at the next grade - it was awesome to see all of you stepping up and building confidence for next season. Excellent work from: Player of the Day (POD) : Alfie & Rosie Moment of the Day (MOD): Quinn, George & Dusty FUN FOOTBALL STORM – What a fantastic weekend for the Western Storm! They had a bye in the weekend, but they had the pleasure of hosting a fun game against some talented kids from our First Kicks team. Big shoutout to these young players for showing incredible sportsmanship and making the game a blast for everyone involved. And a special thanks to James from 10th Grade for stepping up and helping the First Kicks team even out the score a bit. Player of the Day (POD): Grace Moment of the Day (MOD): Maddox TORNADOES – Player of the Day (POD): Marlon Moment of the Day (MOD): Team Tornadoes 9TH GRADE - Big step up in physicality for the kids and the first time we have had a game quite as close contact. Well done to the kids for persevering and putting together a nice goal to finish the game. A couple of quick acknowledgments, Thank you to the parents for bringing your kids down each week. It’s great to see the support and today’s photo with families and the team was my way of acknowledging everyone’s efforts each week. Secondly it’s been great to come back to the kit bag and area to see most of it all packed up. The boys have been managing this with it being different kids each week. That’s a genuine joy to see their time being given to help clean up. They are contributing to a good community for each other. A huge thank you from me to them all. Player of the Day (POD): JJ - with some great consistency on the field and finishing the game on a high with a goal. Moments of the Day (MOD): Henry - with some nice touches and he kept getting the ball back for us when he was in defence. Great effort lads. 10TH GRADE ALL STARS – Western AFC All Starts shine this Weekend! This weekend, the All Starts delivered an outstanding performance at Westminster Park. The coaches are incredibly proud of the team’s effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Each player contributed significantly to the game, showcasing their skills and dedication. What a Game! The All Stars won the rematch! I’ve been advised to keep it short and sweet as we’re using too much ink on the newsletters! A special shoutout to Patrick, who put his body on the line to ensure that Western remained in the lead. His commitment were truly inspiring. Lastly, a big thank you to all the parents and siblings for their continued support. Your encouragement and presence make a huge difference to the team. Shoutout to Ashton, Wilbur, Isabel and Otis who had to watch perhaps more football than they bargained for. Player of the Day (POD): Fletcher - for his exceptional defensive work. His ability to read the game and make crucial tackles kept the opposition at bay and was instrumental in our team’s success. Moment of the Day (MOD): Henry and Aidan for the incredible amount of ground they covered. Their relentless energy and determination were evident as they tirelessly supported both the defence and the attack, making a significant impact throughout the match. WARRIORS – I just wanted to share how incredibly proud I am of our boys on Saturday! The football was top-notch, and their spirit was unmatched on that flat and fast surface. Seeing the team play so cohesively—supporting and working hard for each other—really highlights how much they’ve developed this season! A huge shoutout to all our fantastic parents, siblings, grandparents, and everyone who comes out each week to support our kids. Your dedication and encouragement mean the world to the kids. Player of the Day (POD): Lennox – 2 outstanding goals. Moment of the Day (MOD): Zac – showing great team commitment, coming back on while injured! FLAMES – Hard fought win over Parklands Pukeko's. Player of the Day (POD): Piper - for a determined, hard working effort all game in both attack and defence. Some great tackles and passes made. Moment of the Day (MOD): Hazel - for a storming run down the left wing, beating 3 players, dribbling with both feet and turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye. Training Schedule & Logistics Update Just a quick wrap-up and reminder about our training sessions and upcoming events. Please check with your coach to confirm that these details are still up-to-date. Regular Training Sessions: 📍 Location: Westminster Park (weather permitting) 🕓 Schedule:
Please arrive a few minutes early to get ready and start your session. These trainings are essential for skill development, teamwork, and of course, having a great time! Stay Connected: Communication is key! If your player can’t attend a session or game, please:
This helps us plan effectively and ensures the team is always prepared for all activities. Weekly Highlights: 🏅 Player of the Day (POD): POD winners will lead halftime activities and wear the captain’s armband in the next game. Your leadership is truly commendable! 🎉 Moment of the Day (MOD): MOD winners should bring a post-game treat to share. Your memorable moments enrich our team spirit! Upcoming Events:
We look forward to seeing everyone back at Westminster Park this Thursday. Let’s keep up the energy that makes Western AFC exceptional! Go, Western! Coach Arron  |
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