FFA National Youth Championships - 1-5 October 2012

ACT v NT - Photo by Zoe Barlow

20.09.12 – Under-13 & Under-14 Boy's National Squads Announced

Under-14 Head Coach Rod Lynes will rely on a group of players who have had previous representative experience when they kick off their challenge in Pool B on the Monday against Northern NSW Country.
“The team contains a core of players who successfully competed in last year's FFA under 13 National Championships, plus some new exciting talent,” Lynes revealed. “After consultation with club coaches and a training programme based on the FFA National Curriculum, players have been selected from a variety of clubs including Belconnen United, Canberra City, Canberra FC and Tuggeranong United. The squad is also fortunate to have three players from the ACTAS football programme, who have been playing regularly in the Capital Football Premier Pathway League (which predominantly features under 20 players). As always, the coaches have had a difficult time finalising the squad of 16.”
As with the under-13 team the squad has been preparing with a series of friendly matches locally. “As part of the preparations, matches have been played against a variety of opponents from both the Capital Football Junior League and the Capital Football Senior Under-16 Premier League,” Lynes said.

“The team looks solid in defence, with pace and flair in attacking positions. The players from differing clubs have come together well, demonstrating much esprit de corps, and morale is high. Although the opposition in Coffs Harbour is sure to be tough, the team will be organised, committed, and keen to play well in an elite-level football environment.”

Capital Football wishes both teams and referee’s the very best of luck at the championships and thanks the clubs for their cooperation and support in the preparation of the squads.

SQUADS AND FIXTURES
Under-14 – Pool B
SQUAD
Grant BARLOW (Belnorth), David CARDER (Canberra FC), Jackson CLEMENT-McNEE (Majura), Ross COSTANZO (Gungahlin), Dean COWDROY (Belnorth), Joshua GULEVSKI (Belnorth), Ridwan HANNAN (Gungahlin), Tom KRKLEC (Canberra FC), Tony MADAFFARI (Gungahlin), Kevin NHAN (Canberra FC), Michael POCHI (Gungahlin), Shaun BURKE (Tuggeranong United), Tony SPASESKI (Canberra FC), Daniel SUBASIC (Canberra FC), Antoni TIMOTHEOU (Gungahlin), Vuk VUCIC (Gungahlin)
COACH: Rod LYNES



GUFC Juniors Selected in Youth Nationals Squad - 24 Sept 2012
Once again Gungahlin United has shown its focus on player development paying dividends, being handsomely represented in the ACT squads. Amongst the other players in the two squads another 3 players learned their football as rooballers at the club and 2 other players in the Under 14 squad, Grant Barlow and Jackson Clement-McNee, play for Gungahlin’s Premier League partner Canberra City.

Premier League Under 16 News

Round 19 - 11/9/12
Woden Valley made it a loop Premier League age grade double as they stormed to the under-16 league championship with a thumping 6-0 win over Cooma Tigers at Woden Park on Sunday morning. Woden has been the class outfit of the season in this competition and showed just why as they dismantled the Tigers in convincing fashion. Thomas Zeitlhofer nabbed a brace with the rest of the goals shared around with Bradley Olivera, Andrew Slavich, Zac Harrigan and Owen Steer also scoring. And, whilst it was Olivera’s first goal of the season, Slavich took his tally to nineteen and Zeitlhofer his to seventeen in a super day for the home side. The title had been handed to Woden the day before as lowly Canberra City held Belconnen United to a surprising 1-1 draw at McKellar Park. The Blue Devils needed a win to heap the pressure on Woden but were stunned by a City side that belied their league position to put in a performance of some quality. Grant Barlow netted the goal for City that ultimately proved to be the undoing of Belconnen’s outside hopes of the league championship.

Canberra City Football Club

Round 19 Results

By Nick Palagyi | 12th August 2012

City's youngsters star, while Belconnen too strong for City's Senior Teams

Premier League 16
Result: Belconnen United 1 Canberra City 1
Scorer: Grant Barlow
Player of the Match: Goung Banyar

Following an 8-1 first round loss, which was backed up with an improved yet still comprehensive 5-0 defeat in their second meeting, few were expecting the performance that City's PL16 delivered on Saturday at McKellar Stadium against 2nd placed Belconnen.
City came out firing early with the best of the opening exchanges, and looking to create well through wide men Goung Banyar and Osman Daramy. As Belconnen looked for a way to get themselves back into the game, a quick switch of play through Christian Junna in midfield found the overlapping run of Ridwan Hannan who attacked the by-line before whipping the ball in where it was clinically met and dispatched into the back of the net by City's new #9, Grant Barlow. The lead was almost doubled when playmaker Jenni Bisset curled her corner beyond the Belconnen keeper only to see it crash back off the cross-bar.
1-0 up at half time put City in a great position to upset their more fancied opponents, however the visitors would also be required to contend with strong wind which was now behind the home side. Despite the conditions and ever increasing pressure applied by Belconnen, City continued to play their attractive brand of football and continued to create opportunities in attack. As the second half wore on and the pressure continued to build, it was perhaps fair that the home side found an equaliser. The stoic City defense, led by Jackson Clement, certainly made them work hard for their goal however, and the home side were never allowed to feel comfortable particularly with Alex Pizzano injecting himself into the attacking line, and Antoni Timotheou pulling the creative strings in midfield.
If offered a 1-1 result at the start of the day, City surely would have taken it, and when compared with their previous 2 results against the championship contenders, this thoroughly deserved result really does illustrate just how far Michelle Aurouseau has brought this young group of future first graders.
A truely fantastic effort from all involved!!!

Round 18  -   4/8/12
A highly entertaining match took place at Hawker Football Centre on Saturday morning ... Canberra City 2 (Brody Simpson, Grant Barlow) Tuggeranong United 2  ...

High School Futsal Finals

28.06.12 – High School Futsal Finals Results

The Finals of the ACT High School Futsal Competition took place at the Lyneham Netball Centre on the 26th and 28th June.  In an action packed two days of futsal, there were plenty of goals and even more excitement as the top two teams from the Northside and Southside went head to head for the title of ACT Champions.

In the Year 7/8 boys competition, Lyneham High School faced off against Alfred Deakin in the final after both teams safely negotiated their semi final matches.  It was all Lyneham in the final though, as they controlled the game throughout and ran out deserving 6-2 winners.  Grant Barlow was a standout for Lyneham with 4 goals in the final.

In the Year 7/8 girls competition, Daramalan faced off against Campbell High School in an all-Northside final.  In a match which see-sawed both ways, Campbell lead twice before Daramalan equalised just before full-time to take the match into extra time at 2-2.  With less than a minute to go, it appeared as though Daramalan had won it as they took the lead 3-2, only for Campbell to come back and equalise with virtually the last kick of extra time.  It went down to penalties then, and Daramalan held their nerve to prevail 3-2 in the shootout and take the victory.

In the Year 9/10 boys competition, Belconnen High School took on Telopea Park in a high quality and fast paced final.  Belconnen took the initiative though, and went into half time 3-1 up after a goal by Gimale Essacu right before the whistle gave them breathing space.  With Telopea Park forced to come at them in the second half, the Belconnen team were able to pick them off and eventually ran out 5-2 winners.

In the year 9/10 girls competition, Daramalan took on Melba Copland in another all-northside final.  Having defeated Lanyon on penalties in their semi-final, Melba Copland struggled to match the freshness of the Daramalan team, and were eventually defeated 6-1 despite a valiant effort.  This gave Daramalan both titles in the girls competitions.

Congratulations go to all the winning teams, and a big thank you to the teachers and coaches without whom the competition would not be possible.

The Great Brissy Getaway!

The Great Brissy Getaway!

Revisiting the tree we were married under back in 1994!

In June, Spike and I had the good fortune to spend 6 days and nights in Brisbane on what felt at times like a second honeymoon! Spike attended a conference during the days and in the evenings we were able to spend some time together and catch up with friends.  Catching up with family as well as old friends was a fabulous way to spend our time away together and we were extra lucky, thanks to Belinda and Ian, to have the wonderful opportunity to watch the Socceroos play against the Blue Samurai (Japan) at Suncorp stadium. Spike was even able to 'live the dream' and have his photo taken with the statue of rugby league legend, Darren Lokyer! :)

Spike with mate and league legend,
Darren Lokyer! :)

Picnic in the park!

Enjoying South Bank!

With Belinda at the Socceroos Vs Blue Samurai! 

Easter!

Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Fructose Free Hotcross Buns!

Yummo!  You'd never know how Everything Free they are!

Easter's a pretty quiet time round the Barlow Ke (family), but over the year's we've borrowed a couple of traditions expecially since visiting Marika in Santorini.  Particularly on the food side!  Zoe and I now bake Koulourakia, dye eggs red and I've also started baking lactose, gluten and fructose free Hotcross buns!  I've made gluten and lactose free buns before, but since being diagnosed last year with fructose intollerance as well, I've come up with a bun that covers these three intollerances and you wouldn't believe it, but they are delicious!  Zoe being the most wonderful daughter that she is, bought 4 of the local Gluten Free outlet's buns for me this year, but I have to say, our's RULE! They taste like Hotcross buns and even have a similar texture! I found the recipe online a few years ago and have just adapted it for myself.  The last change was substituting sultanas with dried blueberries which are lower in fructose and they taste just devine!  Thanks to Zoe for being my baking buddy and Spike for his awesome photography!

The rest of the day has been filled with  a fun hit of tennis late morning, followed by a late but scrumtious lunch of pizzas, eggs, Koulourakia and some heavenly St Agur blue cheese on bread for me!   My favourite quote of the day was when we were leaving the tennis court Grant asked who won.  I diplomatically said, 'we all won today Grant cause we had such a great time as a family and got lots of exercise!' only to be shot down by my lovely daughter who said, 'only losers say that Mum!'  Yes, Grant and I did lose, but this could be the start of another great Easter tradition!

We also had the pleasure of catching up with some old Kendo friends later in the day, when Spike, Zoe and I dropped in on the Australian Kendo Championships being held at our old stomping ground, the ANU.  Was lovely to see so many friends and to be reminded of what now seems like a very distant but important past for us both.

A New Season for Zoe

04.04.12 – Canberra FC win under-19 Pre-Prem Shield

There is a whole new exciting year for the Canberra FC Womens Premier 19's that, againsted all odds, followed their older siblings (Men's Premier League) by winning their preliminary competition. Under new coaches Tony D'Amico and Peter Kouvalas, and with the average age of players being 15, there is a bright future for the Canberra FC Woman's club.
Although they remained undefeated, winning all games played and finished as the Premiers in the pre-season comeptition, the club knew that the finals were going to be very tough especially against two fearful opponents in Canberra Olympic in the semi-final (winning 3-2 after coming back from two goals down) and Belconnen United in the Grand final (winning 2-1 after coming back from one goal down).
D'Amico was pleased with the overall performance of the girls but still believes there is a long way to go. Most of the girls have not played together before the competition and, in fact, they were still learning each others names during the games! All the girls played in the junior league in 2011 but have easily adapted to the fast moving game played at this level. D'Amico eventually would like to see some of these girls playing at the highest levels.

Capital Football News

Australian Futsal Championship 2012 - ACT vs NSW (U13 Grand Final)

Futsal National Championships, 2012

Under 13 boys Grand Final

NSW Thunder 5 (Jordan Pyne 3, Mario Shabow 2) ACT Cobras 4 (David Carder 2, Christopher Kazolis, Tully Keegan)
NSW Thunder and ACT Cobras played out an enthralling match in the Under 13 boys Grand Final. The lead changed four times throughout the forty minutes before Thunder were crowned champions. ACT took an early lead through Grant Barlow who pounced on a rebound off the NSW ‘keeper. (It was actually Grant who shot, keeper just saved it and Tully kicked it in). Mario Shabow then equalised for the Thunder, polishing off a solid passage of passing. It was then the ACT’s turn to find the net and they did it in style. Christopher Kazolis belted a free kick into the top corner to give the Cobras a 2-1 lead. A crafty one-two pass helped Thunder restore parity right on half time through Jordan Pyne. The second half provided just as much excitement as the first with the crowd adding to the atmosphere. NSW found a breakthrough as Mario Shabow slotted home his second goal of the match. That goal seemed to spur the Cobras into action and they found momentum through David Carder who netted two goals in quick succession to give the ACT boys a 4-3 lead. But Thunder didn’t panic and found a way through the Cobras defence with Jordan Pyne firing a low shot into the back of the net. Just as the match looked destined for extra time, Jordan Pyne cleaned up the scraps on the goal line to earn his hat trick and give NSW Thunder the national title.

By Mitch Grima

From Capital Football Website