Celebrations are continuing for the Millicent United Soccer Club after its under 12 boys won the Limestone Coast Football Association premiership recently – the club’s first premiership in a quarter of a century.
The club last win in the boys/men’s league was 1997 and the huge achievement was driven by the passionate Under 12 coach Mathew Grgetic, who played in the last premiership as an Under 14.
He shared the joy of Sunday’s win with his son Tait who played in the U12 team and also received best on pitch for his outstanding efforts.
Grgetic has devoted many hours coaching and developing the boys physically and mentally.
He takes great pride in supporting each individual player and with their varying abilities targeted coaching needs to ensure each child was personally challenged to be great players and better teammates.
In recognition of his efforts, many past and present players, life members and supporters surrounded the pitch on grand final day sporting the green and gold colours of the Millicent team.
Millicent United Soccer Club Committee Member Megan Skeer said the final whistle was met with huge celebration and sent a wave of emotion through the spectators, with some recalling never winning a game for their entire junior career.
“Even scoring goals were very few and far between and often celebrated with equal enthusiasm as a grand final win,” Skeer said.
“The club song was once printed and stuck on the back of the team board because no one knew the words, because there was never a chance to sing it.
“At the end of one game, the children achieved a draw and asked if they could sing the victory song because they thought it was as good as a win.”
Skeer said this year the Millicent United Under 14 boys team only had five players and Grgetic encouraged the Under 12 boys to step up and help to fill the higher team.
“This would see the majority of the Under 12 team head straight back on the pitch every Sunday after their game to fill the side for their Under 14 teammates,” she said.
“Mat created a great bond between all players across both grades, and every one of the u14 boys were on the sidelines cheering for their team mates on Sunday in the U12 grand final.
“We are optimistic the drought has broken in Millicent, with so many promising juniors showing great enthusiasm and dedication to the sport and club.
“With a wonderful club culture and passionate members ensuring junior development is a priority, we have many senior players that turn up to junior training to work with the children to help develop their skills and to mentor them under the guidance of Coach Mat.”
Skeer said the Under 16 girls team also won the premiership the day before with Coach Ian Lines, who is also the club’s president, leading the girls to victory.
“The team fought tirelessly through the finals coming from fourth place on the ladder after the minor round to take out the premiership in a penalty shootout,” she said.
“A few of the females from this team are also seen on the pitch on a Sunday playing in either the Under 14 or Under 17 boys’ sides.
“The Millicent Women’s Football Club and the Millicent United Soccer Club merged to form one club this year.
“The 2023 season will see the Millicent United teams hitting the pitch in brand new strips, celebrating, and formalising this amalgamation.
“Winning two grand finals, we cannot think of a better way to end a wonderful season.
“With many premiership winning children proud to wear the Millicent United uniform and look up at the two large golden cups and with the premiership flags displayed on the wall and forever tell the story of how they won a grand final and know all the words to the winning Millicent United song.
“We look forward to the 2023 season and will be sure to keep playing quality soccer but as Coach Mat always says ‘and keep having fun’.”
