U9 Hawks

2023/24 Season Review

This is the Hawks second season and what a seasons it’s been. A tricky start with only one draw from our first eight games, but then somehow we managed our first win in late November, and from then on we never really stopped winning. Securing 11 wins, two draws and one loss from our last 14 games!

What has really impressed the coaches, is the manner of the wins. Several fight backs from a losing position and several last minute winners.

I think the game of the season has to be a 6-5 win away at Yateley in February. It was a real yoyo game but the boys got it over the line with some cracking team goals in the final 10 minutes.

I’ve also been impressed with how gracious the boys have become with winning and losing. This was particularly apparent when we won a penalty shootout against Mytchett. After a very subdued celebration the boys went straight over to congratulate and commiserate their opponents on a great game.

Our level of support on a Saturday morning is fantastic. I want to say a huge thank you to all the parents, siblings, grandparents and friends who come along each week. It’s wonderful that the level of support is so big and the boys really know that you are behind them. We really have become a little football family.

I’d like to give a big thank you to my assistants Paul Frankland and Ben Weight. You both show real leadership to the boys and there’s a huge level of trust and respect that goes both ways. Well done Ben for the excellent game analysis and stat keeping. Who needs Opta?!

We move up to 7 a side football next season. It’s going to be a big change, with real emphasis on positions and formation which will be a challenge. But it’s a challenge we will relish and we can’t wait to get going (after a nice long summer break). We look forward to welcoming a couple of new players to the squad.

Ollie Harrup