2007/08
Off to a great start
The inaugural season of the WHC Youth Section has been an outstanding success, with us already having 134 members (103 girls and 31 boys), aged 8 to 16. Our 9 teams, ranging from U10s to Under 16s, have played almost 100 matches during the season.
For individual Section Reports please use the links on the left of the page
Inverleith Tournament - June 2008
Congratulations to the WHC Mixed U15 team, who won the Inverleith tournament on 14 June. The team, captained by Chris Allison and coached by Carolyn Thornton, were unbeaten in all 8 games, and clinched the cup with a draw against Carnegie in the last game. Runners up were an all-boys team from Dundee Wanderers, and the competition included strong squads from Cala and hosts Inverleith. 7 different players scored a total of 20 goals over the course of the day, with top goalscorers being David Thornton (7) and Jake Hibbert (6); and new recruits Natalie Binnie and Mairi Drummond each scoring 2. The defence only let in 2 goals, with Nicola Whyte, Duncan Robertson and goalie Peter Brown on top form. John Kosman was Mr. Versatile, playing in various positions and bagging a goal.
Back:(L to R) Peter Brown, Moire MacKenzie, Nicola Whyte, Mairi Drummond, Chris Allison, Duncan Robertson Front:(L to R)Jake Hibbert, David Thornton, Natalie Binnie, John Kosman
The Club also entered U12s and U10s teams for the first time. The teams, who found it tough going, gained great experience from the event but were younger than the opposition and were all-girls teams, as our boys were unavailable. Catriona McLellan, Susie Neave, Elena O'Neill and Juliana Allison were among many good performers for the U12s, and it was great to see Primary 3 pupils Claire Riddell and Abbey Neave starring for the U10s. Many thanks to coaches Lyndsey Allison and Kerry McNaughton. Roll on next season's tournament!
Coaches
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of our coaches, led by Lyndsey Allison. A huge thank you to Graham, Dougie, Paula, Rachel, Sarah, Becky, Duncan, Carolyn and many others for their time and effort in coaching the players and managing teams. And a very special thanks to four young trainee coaches: Rachel Cave, Michelle Kerr, Christy Thomson and Fraser Sands. Rachel and Christy recently passed their umpiring ‘C’ badges.
Youth Honours:
- Boys Scotland U18s: James Byers and Alex Fedenczuk
- Boys Scotland U16s: Ali Jameson, Fraser Sands, Duncan Riddell and Matt Connor
- Boys East U16: Ali Jameson, Fraser Sands, Jake Hibbert and David Thornton
- Boys East U15: Chris Allison, Peter Brown, Jake Hibbert, John Kosman, Duncan Riddell, Duncan Robertson and Tom Reavie
- Boys East U15 Indoor: Chris Allison, Peter Brown and Duncan Riddell
- Girls Scotland U16: Joanna Greig, Natasha Jacobs and Lizzie McAdam
- Girls East U16: Joanna Greig, Natasha Jacobs and Lizzie McAdam
- Girls East U15: Moire MacKenzie, Lucy Walker and Mairi Drummond
- Mixed East U14: Daniel Cain, Lewis Fraser, Caitlin Gibson, Ailsa Small, Emma Stephen
Awards:
The season finished with a really enjoyable Awards Night and disco at Myreside.
Player of the Year:
- Boys U16 – Fraser Sands
- Girls U16 – Moire MacKenzie
- U14A – Daniel Cain
- U14B – Waverley Miller
- U14C – Joanna Tink
- U12 – Catriona McLellan
- U10 – Emma Speirs
Most Improved Player:
- Boys U16 – Duncan Robertson
- Girls U16 – Jade Breslin
- U14A – Ellen Katsipanos
- U14B – Rory Price
- U14C – Lucy Laughland
- U12 – Stuart Nickerson
- U10 – Alexandra Dumble
Contribution to the club (Jim Smart Trophy): Michelle Kerr
Top Scorers
The U16s and U14s scored 98 goals between them. Top scorers were:
- U16 boys: Ali Jameson (4)
- U16 girls: Natasha Jacobs (3)
- U14A: Emma Stephen (7 incl. C team)
- U14B: Claire Errington (6)
- U14C: Stuart Nimmo (5)
Finally, thank you to all the parents, who never seem to get recognised for their role as taxi drivers, supporters (3 came to Aberdeen!), secretaries, kit washers … and especially those who have plied me with coffee and chocolate on cold and wet Sunday mornings at Meggetland!
Next season’s training is scheduled to start on Sunday 7 September at Tipperlinn - the website will be updated once details are confirmed. We plan to have U14 trials the previous weekend, ahead of the Meggetland league re-starting.
George Thornton
WHC Youth Development Co-ordinator
