TRB ON AN ELEVATED STAGE - FERGUSON SHINES

Round Ball graduate Callum Ferguson starred once again for North Geelongs u21s as they defeated the top team 3 1. He sat on the bench for the seniors.
Thomas Renzi played the first 75 minutes in Cumberlunds 3 all draw in the FFSA Premier League.

Round 4 (Match Report – U21’s): North Geelong 5 v Preston 0

In contrast to the seniors match the younger brigade of the Warriors had a field day including three spectacular goals, one from Nick Anderson and two from Callum Ferguson, including a volley he’ll never forget.

The team gels well and performs to a high level at all times. It’s that intensity that needs to carry over though when the young guys get their grip on a position in the first team in order to maintain the high levels of performance required.

The squad is maturing well and by sticking together over the past couple of years they have gathered respect from onlookers, most noticeably several local coaches from other clubs.

http://northgeelongsc.com.au/wp/2011/05/round-4-match-report-u21s-north-geelong-5-v-preston-0/

04-05-2011: Melbourne Heart vs Geelong Representative team

Melbourne Heart are coming to Geelong on Wed May 4th and the North Geelong Soccer Club is proud to be able to host this event for the Geelong sporting community. Geelong clubs will be asked to provide players to a collective group to take on Heart as they prepare for their 2011/12 season. More details will unfold as the day gets closer, for now, mark it in your diaries.

Date: Wednesday 4 May

Kick Off: 7.00PM

Location: Elcho Park

STEPLEN CONSTRUCTIONS SHOWS SUPPORT

Steve Smith and Round Ball stars Cameron Hart and Callum Ferguson

For the second time Steplen Constructions has supported a Round Ball project. The Young Sharks Project saw 10 players from the Gambier City Sharks sponsored by Steplen Constructions. We would like to thank them for their kind support.

THE ROUND BALL SHINES

The Round Ball senior squad

The Round Ball under 17 squad

Mount Gambier's Community Football Project The Round Ball concluded its summer training program with a stunning result in their final hit out for the summer against the under 17 Geelong Champions The Breakwater Eagles at Whitehorse Park, Geelong on Sunday. The emphatic result has set tongues wagging in Geelong with talk that the Mount Gambier outfit was so exceptional it could be competitive in the metropolitan Melbourne under 18 competition.

CEO of the Round Ball, Scott Dickson was impressed with the result however he was not surprised by their performance. "This is an exceptional squad, and without a doubt one of the strongest I have worked with" said Dickson. "This group of players is exceptional and the great thing about them is they still have so much to learn." Dickson added.

"It was a great win on Sunday morning but I was more impressed with our 2 1 loss at the hands of North Geelong Warriors under 18 squad on Saturday."

The Round Ball led for the majority of the game against a very strong North Geelong outfit after taking the lead through a Alex Bissell header from a corner take by Alex Sims. the game played over three, thirty minute thirds saw The Round Ball hold their own against one of the strongest teams in the Melbourne competition and take the lead at the 35 minute mark when Bissell nodded home from just outside the six yard box. the Round Ball went close to extending their lead minutes later when Mark Judd's free kick from 30 yards out grazed the roof of the net. With ten minutes to go The Round Ball conceded a goal from a corner and minutes later fell behind when Matthew Pilven conceded a penalty with a rash challenge just inside the box.

In the final minutes both Tom Lloyd and Tom Weedon both had chances however it was not to be. "The boys were fantastic and deserved at least a draw." Dickson added. North Geelong Warriors under 18 coach Ante Didiluca was full of praise for The Round Ball and how far they have progressed in such a short time, "They really shocked us, I expected scott's boys to be good but never that good, they were exceptional. I havn't worked with The Round Ball for over 12 months and i cannot believe what scott has done with them. The last time I saw them they were okay and as a result of that game we signed Callum Ferguson, Tom Weedon was only 12 and Bissell was just developing. Now they know how to play the game, they pass and move, hold and press and dictate the tempo like metropolitan teams which is a huge testament to Scott's ability as a coach." Didiluca added.

"I was very pleased with the boys, North Geelong were physical and know how to play the game. They are well drilled and have great coaches that we can learn from, for me though the most important thing about this result as it is the first time that we have really been competitive with a strong metropolitan side of the same age cohort. For years when we have played the same age group we have not been able to compete, in fact several years ago I can remember teams playing against local sides and over age players being required, this squad has shown we can compete at the highest level."

The result on Sunday goes even further to stress Dickson's point. "On Sunday we played the current Geelong Champions and led 2 nil at half time. We gave 13 year old Jake Blackwell and 12 year old Sam Shoemark the opportunity to have a run in our under 16's and they showed they were more than capable of playing at that level. Jake scored a cracker in the first half from outside the 18 yard box and Sam scored two in second half. The score is not important", Dickson added, "we pushed the ball around very well and tore them apart in the second half. Alex Sim's was outstanding as was Dylan Murray and Cody Chapman from Portland and Josh Kourmouzis was an absolute rock at the back"

The Round Ball will now break for the winter and the players involved in the project will return to their local clubs. "i am looking forward to seeing the mark they make on the competition, it has been along summer which has included triumphs at the South West Games and a recent win over Gambier Centrals senior squad. I am very excited about next summer and can't wait to see what this squad can achieve in the future." Dickson concluded.

ROUND BALL MEDIA RELEASE

Mount Gambier's Community Football Development Program, the Round Ball will take on one of the highest regarded clubs for junior development in the nation when they head to Geelong this weekend. The Round Ball will lock horns with North Geelong Warriors and will take on their under 18 squad in a testing encounter.

CEO of The Round Ball program, Scott Dickson is very excited about the trip to Geelong and the opportunity that it will provide for his squad. "Our side has been training hard all summer and is keen to be challenged. we have some very talented juniors in our program and we are looking forward to taking on the Warriors". North Geelong will take part in the newly formed Metropolitan Melbourne Under 18 competition and will be a difficult challenge for the local outfit. "We are very realistic when it comes to this fixture. North Geelong are a very strong club and have developed some of the finest players to have played the game in Australia. Four Socceroos have come from the club and it was the only Australian club to have players from the club in the squad for two National teams at the 1996 Fifa World Cup. We all know that Josip Skoko developed as a player in North Geelong and in recent years both Cameron Hart and Callum Ferguson have both left the WBSA to join North." This will be the second time that The Round Ball has travelled to Geelong to take on The Warriors and the third time that they have visited Geelong."Last time we visited North Geelong we took on an under 17 side and we got over the top of them, this time we have a much younger side and it will be harder, however, this side has played together for quite a while now and I am quietly confident that they will do well. Vinko Buljubasic will coach the Warriors on the weekend and he played for Perth Glory and was a Socceroo and if we are fortunate Josip is keen to catch up with the boys"

On Sunday The Round Ball will field a younger under 16 side to take on the Breakwater Eagles, last seasons under 15 Geelong Champions. " We hosted the Eagles a fortnight ago and did very well. We beat them both times in Mount Gambier, but at home they will be a different prospect. They are keen to have another go at our side and we look forward to taking them on on Sunday. We are keen to give several of our younger boys a run and Jake Blackwell and Sam Shoemark will feature in our under 16 side"

The Round Ball has named Alex Bissell as captain of the under 18 side and Alex Sims to captain the under 16's.

FERGUSON DOING WELL

North’s strong start in COG Cup
Courtesy: Geelong Advertiser

THE City of Greater Geelong Cup reached the half-way stage at Stead Park this week and the pattern of the competition is becoming clearer.

Tournament favourite North Geelong leads the table with nine points from three games, with Geelong Rangers in second place and Geelong third after two games apiece.

On Wednesday night North Geelong ran off to a quick two-nil lead against Bell Park but a long-range goal by Justin Cortorillo brought the Batesford boys back into the game.

In the second match, Geelong and Corio were locked at two-all at half time, but the host club powered away with three unanswered goals in the second period.

Callum Ferguson’s cross cleared the defence and Daniel Roksa headed in at the far post in the second minute for North Geelong.

Fourteen minutes later Aaron D’Antino lofted a high ball into the penalty area and Kristian Edwards got a neat headed deflection to beat Angelo Di Mauro in the Bell Park goal.

It seemed that North would run away with the game, but Justin Cortorillo found space and time about 35 metres out and fired the ball over Daniel Zilic, who had replaced Tom Dunn in the North goal at half-time.

Di Mauro made a brilliant flying save to deny Edwards and North skipper Mijo Trupkovic got his marching orders for something he said to the referee. North held on to win with 10 men.

James Agius scored a hat-trick for Geelong against Corio starting with a cross-shot from wide on the right which deceived everyone and finished in the far corner of the net.

Garrison Grigg must have been watching the earlier game because he brought Corio level with a goal from distance which flew over the stranded keeper.

Agius did another run down the right and this time dinked the ball over the keeper into and then through the net.

Corio came back again as Daniel Wilson ran straight at the defence and released a low shot which beat the unsighted keeper.

The second half belonged to Geelong as Agius completed his hat-trick, then Michael Trigger rounded substitute keeper Simon Smyth and scored neatly.

The final goal came with only a couple of minutes left as Matthew Nikolic took a pass from Agius and knocked the ball home.

Tonight’s games: Rangers v Geelong (7pm), Bell Park v Surf Coast (8.20pm).

FERGUSON RETURNS TO THE WARRIORS

Round Ball graduate Callum Ferguson has returned to Geelong to commence his second season with North Geelong Warrriors.

We wish him all the best.

FERGUSON SET TO HIT THE TRACK

Round Ball Graduate Callum Ferguson is set to return to North Gellong late next week to commence training for the 2011 season.

We wish him all the best.

ROUND BALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2009 Round Ball Player of the Year Callum Ferguson.

The Round Ball Player of the Year is in its second year and provides an opportunity for those involved in The Round Ball to vote on who has been the most outstanding player affiliated with The Round Ball over the past twelve months.

Favourites for the 2010 award...

Monique Ianella

Callum Ferguson

Thomas Renzi

Matthew Weistra

Sam Shoemark

Jacob Ellis

Imogen Pratt

Jake Blackwell

Melanie Wilmott

Alex Sims

Nick Morony

Tom Lloyd

SMS votes in 3,2,1 style through until 5.00pm Sunday December 12.

The trophy will be presented at the Christmas Breakup on Monday December 13.

JOIN THE T[tot] REVOLUTION

With only a week to go before the start of the Telstra T[Tots] program positions are filling fast. Contact The Round Ball today on 0407577880 to secure your position.

We are delighted to inform you that Callum Ferguson, 2009 WBSA A Grade best and fairest winner and current North Geelong Warriors player, will be one of the specialists involved in the T[Tots] program.

FERGUSON RETURNS!

We recieved a huge boost in our first week of training with the return of Callum Ferguson from Geelong. Ferguson who is studying teaching at Deakin University and is a contracted player with North Geelong Warriors returned to Mount Gambier for his summer holidays and will, be taking on the role of mentor over summer.

FERGUSON SIGNS ON AS T[life] TUTOR

Round Ball graduate and VPL Div1 player Callum Ferguson has signed on as a T[life] tutor for players involved in the Round Ball Summer Development Program.

Ferguson will return to the Mount in the next week and will take up his role at The Round Ball on his return.

WIN NEWS REPORT

Round Ball Graduate Callum Ferguson was featured on WIN News during the week.

FERGUSON SCORES TWO!

Round Ball graduate Callum Ferguson scored two to keep North Geelong in the premiership race today. One nil down Ferguson scored to level the scores then he made it two to give the Warriors the lead. It was not enough and the game finished 2 all.

Closing out the 2010 VPL Season….

This Saturday is North Geelong’s last home game for the 2010 season, and that means a massive day at the club!!!

The day will start off with the traditional last home game $100 raffle. This should be a massive raffle with only 4 tickets remaining in the draw. Raffle goes from 12.30 to 2.30 with food and drinks provided.

After the raffle we’ll kickstart the jumping castle for the little kids to enjoy themselves. (Parental supervision required)

At 1pm our Under 21s kick off against Langwarrin. The boys need a win which will put them in a great position to win the league! At 3pm our Seniors kick off.

After the match the traditional Lamb on the spit will be served again. This year the lambs are donated by Paul Saric and the North Geelong SC Committee. All supporters and players are welcome to come and have a bite to eat.

FERGUSON SHOWS HEART

Round Ball graduate and North Geelong Warriors star Callum Ferguson has continued to impress the powers that be at Melbourne Heart. In a trial game against Green Gully, Ferguson played the first half at right full back. In the second half he was moved to midfield were he set up two goals and played alongside John Aloisi.

FERGUSON CALLED UP TO PLAY FOR THE HEART

Round Ball graduate Callum Ferguson has been called in to the Melbourne Heart squad to play Green Gully this week. Well done Callum!

FERGUSON BACK IN THE FIRST TEAM SQUAD

With a feint hope of promotion to the VPL Round Ball graduate Callum Ferguson has been called up to the first team for todays away fixture against Western Suburbs.

FERGUSON SCORES AGAIN

Young gun Callum Ferguson popped up late to score the equalizer for North Geelong last night against Preston. The important goal keeps Geelong U21s top of the table. He ran out the last ten minutes in the seniors who suffered a disappointing loss.

Josip Skoko was on hand to witness Ferguson's strike.