Puma Cup and Puma Shield -
2005
Sydney United’s home ground was the venue
in August 2005 for the CHS knockout finals- the Puma Cup and Shield.
First time finalists The Hills Sports High
were opposed to arch rivals Hunter Sports in the girls’ Shield final. After
a settling in period The Hills took the lead in the ninth minute, when the
baby of the team Elizabeth O'Reilly, coolly slotted the ball under the
advancing keeper after a run down the right wing. A further goal from
Kimberly Pope made the half time score 2-0 to the Western Sydney team.
Straight after half time the lead was further increased when Renee Rollason
headed in after another move down the right. Sally Shippard and Stephanie
Padilla added further goals before captain Caitlin Cooper scored with a
rocket from the edge of the box. A consolation goal from Hunter’s Samantha
Butler made the final score 6-1.
This was a fantastic achievement by the
Hills in only their third year of existence: 59 goals for and only one
against. They have a good number of players involved in representative
soccer. Sally Shippard is already a Matilda and was the youngest member of
the Athens Olympic soccer squad. Together with Caitlin Cooper, Sally also
represented the Young Matildas at the World Championships in Thailand last
year. Lyndsey Glohe is also a member of the current Young Matildas’ squad,
whilst Renee Rollason represented Australian schools on tours to New Zealand
in 2004 and to the United Kingdom early this year. Hunter’s Gema Simon also
was a member of the Australian schools team and they have many players ,who
have represented Hunter region at State Championships.
The boys’ final saw Westfields Sports High
attempting to win for the eleventh time in thirteen years. In their way were
the underdogs Kingsgrove High, who had beaten last year,s winners Endeavour
Sports and Bossley Park to reach the final. The gallant Kingsgrove never
gave up against the star–studded Westfields. Australian under 17
representative Nathan Burns gave Westfields the lead mid way through the
first half. Stefan Doneski increased the lead in the second period, before
Alex Gugucevski gave Kingsgrove a consolation goal in the last minute,
making the final score 2-1.
Westfields are a team full of
representative players. Nathan Burns and Jason Trifiro both were members of
the Joeys at the World Championships in Peru last year, whilst Ben Gough,
Evan Berger and Daniel Wilkinson all toured the United Kingdom with
Australian schools. It was a terrific effort for Kingsgrove to make the
final, with only three of their players making the Sydney East squad and
only Goran Popovski progressing to CHS seconds.
Sally Shippard was judged "Player of the
Final" for the girls, whilst Renee Rollason was named "Player of the
Series". Jason Trifiro won both awards in the boys’ competition.
In the All Schools’ Challenge, Westfields
beat the Independent Schools’ Newington College 4-0, whilst The Hills
defeated the Catholic schools’ McCarthy Catholic 6-1.
Star Profile- Sally Shipard
Age: 18
Hair Colour: Brown Eye Colour: Brown
Height: 176 cm
How long have you been playing
football?
Since I was five.
What made you want to play football?
My brothers played and living in Wagga, parents introduce us to every sport.
How often do you train?
It varies- 8 to 12 hours a week.
What teams have you played for?
PCYC, Wagga United, NSW Sapphires, NSWIS, Matildas and Young Matildas.
What has been the highlight of your
career so far?
School wise: completing the HSC and wining the CHS Knockout.
Outside school: going to the Olympics with the Matildas.
Who inspires you the most?
I take a bit from everybody. People like Janine Shepard and Lance Armstrong,
with their inspirational stories of hope.
How do you balance schoolwork with
football?
My parents have always said that I need to keep the balance. Time management
plays a big role.
What are your long time goals?
Going to the Beijing Olympics, captaining the Matildas and the Matildas
being successful on the international stage.
Who has been your hardest opponent?
Brazil. Their players are freakishly skilful and do unbelievable things.
What advice would you give to girls,
who want to make a career in football?
As long as you enjoy what you do. Work hard and you will be successful with
anything you choose to do. Always have fun!!! But be prepared to work hard
for it.
Interviewers: Aaron Drinkwater and
Marie Pipikios (The Hills Sports High)
|
