Aitken delighted with VSP setup
The official Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools High School Football Championships took shape at Valentine Sports Park on Thursday May 14th with the New Anglican Schools Sports Association taking out both the boys and girls categories.
The NASSA proved too strong for their opponents as both teams included students from eight schools such as Georges River Grammar, St Luke’s Grammar School, The Illawarra Grammar School, Broughton Anglican School, Macarthur Anglican School, Thomas Hassall Anglican College, Penrith Anglican College and Wollondilly Anglican College.
Long serving AICES Executive Officer Greg Aitken was delighted with how the day took shape and applauded Football NSW’s new facility.
“It was a great day for all involved.
“The standard has certainly improved and we’ve definitely shown this as our students have gone onto playing against other independent schools teams at much higher levels.
“It’s great to have a facility such as Valentine Sports Park and it’s certainly changed for the better as we’ve come here for the last 15 years, it’s an awesome setup.
“We will be back for forthcoming championships as just having the artificial pitches is a bonus which means we can play our matches regardless of the weather.”
As many as 225 footballers from 15 association participated in the Championships with the hope also of grabbing the attention of the selectors on hand who were putting together two squads for the upcoming CIS Championships. One of the selectors present keeping her eyes on the future female football talent was former Young Matildas star Nicole Bolger.
Aitken stated that these championships were part of the school’s pathway to the NSW Schools that was then linked to the Australian Schools system.
“These championships play an integral role in the Australian school’s pathway system.
“Moving forward, we will be coming back in two weeks’ time to host a day/night tournament against GPS, CAS, ISA and IGSSA schools which we are eagerly anticipating.”
