Kanga Cup: Point Cook Jets juniors off to Canberra

After years of dominating its western suburbs competition, Point Cook Soccer Club’s under-12 boys side is heading to Canberra for its next challenge.

The junior team, which hasn’t lost a home and away game for three seasons, has entered the prestigious Kanga Cup.

The event is one of the largest junior soccer tournaments in Australia. This year’s version is played next month.

Point Cook under-12 coach Charlie Muscat is expecting tough competition.

“This is a great opportunity to challenge the boys against really good opposition from around Australia,” he said.

“It will be a great learning experience for them. They’re going to play some great opposition and learn what it’s all about to go away together as a team.

“It’s not like a normal week when your game is finished and everyone goes their separate ways. You play your game and then you go back to the hotel and have dinner together and bond.”

It isn’t just their regular-season form that will be giving opposition sides cause for concern. The Jets also bring a wealth of tournament experience to the table, having won a number of events in recent seasons, including the Point Cook, Altona City and Keilor cups.

Muscat believes the side’s success comes down to a great work ethic.

“They’re all dedicated kids. They come to training all the time. Very rarely do they miss a session.”

To help with the cost of sending the team to Canberra, the Point Cook Soccer Club is seeking sponsors in the local community.

Contact team manager Antonietta Biondo at nbiondo@bigpond.net.au.