Bound for glory

BERKELEY-BASED Illawarra Sports High has qualified for the semi-finals of the prestigious Bill Turner Cup.

The 2007 instalment of the under 15s football tournament began with more than 600 entries " now there are four.

Illawarra Sports High will play in the semi-finals at Newcastle on September 11 and 12.

The side qualified for the final four after a 1-nil win over ACT champions St Francis Xavier College in the quarter-final.

Illawarra Sports dominated the ACT champs before sealing the win.

"Josh Martin and Dylan Evans were the two best players on the park, with their composure and decision-making outstanding and a huge improvement on where they were twelve months ago." coach Glenn Fontana said after the Canberra game.

Just days earlier Illawarra Sports dominated Riverina Champions Wade High (Griffith) with a 4-nil win.

Illawarra Sports sealed the South Coast championship with a 4-nil win over TIGS.

In reaching this stage of the competition, Illawarra Sports has accounted for seven schools, scoring 35 goals in the process while conceding only one goal.

Different players have been nominated as players of the match during the campaign, a sign of the squad's depth.

Illawarra Sports High hopes to go at least one better than their fourth-place finish in the 2006 Bill Turner Cup, manager Darren Nunn said.

"We're confident we can take a couple of further steps this year," Nunn said.

Three members of the 2007 squad are holdovers from the 2006 vintage.

Coach Glen Fontana and Corey Gameiro are in England while the young striker trials with English Premier League giants Liverpool.

However, the duo will be back in time for the Turner Cup final four.

Another squad member, Shane Hero, is likely to play for the Papua New Guinea under 18s later in the year, Nunn said.

Fontana's influence has been good for the squad, Nunn said.

"The coaches of the past two teams we have played have remarked on how structured the team is on the field," Nunn said.

"Glen is as good as anybody but the boys have to go out and execute."

Illawarra Sports under 15 girls squad has also had a successful 2007, making the Illawarra final.

A positive trend is the interest and assistance of local businesses.

In the past eighteen months, well-known organisations such as Lambert Kitchens, Warrigal Blinds, The Good Guys, Project Coordination and The German Club, have contributed financially to Illawarra Sports High's football program, which includes 70 students.

"Their support has been vital to our development and we greatly appreciate their generosity," Nunn said.