Sydney Scorpions 16 Girls Regional Championship Winners 2010

Welcome to the Scorps 16 Girls NSWTA Regional Championships Winners team page. Here you will find team photo's of our wonderful weekend along with a weekend report on how the events at Orange unfolded resulting in the Sydney Scorpions 16 Girls winning all seven of their games and being crowned NSW champions! The team included: Taylor Mikaelian, Madeline Pemble, Mason McMillan, Danni Davis (Co-Captain), Laura Peattie, Kate Young, Sam Rodgers, Sarah-Jane Eltakchi, Alana Lamerton (Co-Captain) Courtney Duguid, Natalie Hummelstad, Sam Donlan, Emma Crerar, Charmayne Nathan. Craig Beacroft (Coach), Anthony Dudeck (Assistant Coach), Managers: Grace Mikaelian & Carole Eltakchi.

2010 NSWTA 14/16’s Regional Championships: 17th / 18th April 2010, Orange NSW

Orange was the venue for the 2010 NSWTA 14/16’s Regional Championships and thankfully for all involved the weather conditions included plenty of sunshine. After an extremely unfortunate and disruptive lead up to the tournament, the Sydney Scorpions 16 Girls were very much approaching the unknown. They’d been written off by other teams, however Coaches Craig Beacroft and Anthony Dudeck knew the girls had the talent and ability to give the competition a big shake. The question that remained was did they have the self belief and confidence required to beat the best teams in the state. Time would tell.

The Scorps first game was at 9.00am up against the Hunter Western Hornets. First up games are always unpredictable and very challenging, and the warm-up showed quite a few nerves with a lot of ball dropped in the early morning dewy conditions. However it wasn’t too long before all involved knew that this team of girls were indeed ready for the massive challenge ahead easily disposing of the Hornets in a solid 4-1 victory. Two double touchdowns to Charmayne Nathan and Sam Donlan set the platform for a good win. Other pleasing first up performances were by Sarah-Jane Eltakchi, Mason McMillan and Danni Davis.

The Sydney Rebels were the next challenge at 11.20am and the team were keen to build on the success of their first win. The game was a tight affair with the Rebels a fast fit team looking to pressure the Scorps at every opportunity. The Scorps went to an early lead with Alana Lamerton rising to the occasion grabbing a double. Natalie Hummelstad scored the other with the Scorps defeating Rebels 3-2. The Scorps defence was excellent and the foundation of another good win with excellent on field talk by Sarah-Jane Eltakchi and Madeline Pemble amongst others.

The next game was a big one for the Scorps, up against their main rivals the Sydney Mets at 1.40pm. After a solid warm-up the girls were understandably a bit nervous but following on from two good wins entitled to believe they could win this game. The game was fast and once again a close battle. The Mets took an early lead but then the Scorps ticker took control with the team producing some excellent attacking and defensive touch, frustrating the Mets main game players. Laura Peattie was showing her obvious class at middle scoring a good touchdown and causing Mets all kinds of problems in attack. The turning point of the game was no doubt a length of the field chase and touch by speedster Alana Lamerton which typified the commitment and belief of the Scorpions girls. Other touchdowns to the flying Sam Rodgers, Emma Crerar and Madeline Pemble meant that the Scorps had beaten the Mets 4-3, with the Mets only scoring their final touchdown very late in the game. During the warm down the Scorps girls were extremely pleased and all present could see their confidence and self-belief was now sky high. Comments from Dudie post game included, “From this day fourth you should never fear the Mets, always respect them – but never fear them!”

The final game at 3.25pm on Saturday was simply a massive game for the Scorps. After setting a fantastic foundation of three wins from three games, they really wanted to finish the day in style virtually guaranteeing themselves a Sunday Semi- Final position. As Dudie stated losing was not an option. The opposition were the Southern Suns who up until this time had experienced a win, draw and loss. The game started in much the same manner the others had ended with the Scorps girls going through their attacking moves and producing outstanding team defence. When things weren’t going to plan the girls listened to the Coaches and changed it on the field which was extremely pleasing. Laura Peattie was once again in the touchdowns scoring another double. Charmayne Nathan was causing the Sun’s defence all kinds of trouble creating many chances from acting half and scoring herself. Kate Young finished off two great touchdowns with Taylor Mikaelian rewarded for her outstanding driving grabbing a touchdown herself. The Scorps girls had blown away the Southern Suns winning 6-3. This was the score on the referee card, however Coach Beaks was sure it was actually only 6-2. Whatever the result the girls had a produced an outstanding day of touch football winning all four games and sitting nicely in top spot on the competition table.

Saturday night was time for the team to relax, reflect on the days accomplishments, and for Beaks and Dudie to look to plan for more success on Finals day Sunday. A Scorpions Club Dinner was held at the Orange Ex-Serviceman’s Club which included the Scorps 14 Girls, 14 Boys and the 16 Girls. It was a great night and atmosphere to renew past friendships and build on new ones.

Sunday had arrived and once again Orange was blessed with sunshine. The Scorps Girls 16’s final round game was at 10.10am up against the Northern Eagles who were last placed. In the team warm-up and pre-match discussion all once again reinforced the need to respect the opposition, however it was an opportunity to build on the previous day and come away with a win. Once again the Scorps girls started strongly and pleasingly put on some excellent touchdowns to Danni Davis, Laura Peattie, Kate Young, Courtney Duguid and a double to Sam Rodgers who was having a very good tournament. Scorps had beaten the Northern Eagles 6-2.

With the round games now done and dusted all attention focused to the Semi Finals. First placed Scorps were up against fourth placed Sydney Rebels with second placed Sydney Mets to face third placed Hunter Western Hornets. The Scorps were very excited by the new challenge ahead, however knew they would have to be at their best to make it to the Final. Coaches Beaks and Dudie had the girls fired up for a big performance reminding them although they had proved to all the doubters they were the real deal, their biggest games laid ahead and once again losing was not an option.

In what can only be described as a complete demolition the Scorps girls played outstanding touch to completely shut-out the Sydney Rebels beating them by 6 touchdowns to 1. Once again Co-Captains Alana Lamerton and Danni Davis led from the front and along with Charmayne Nathan, Laura Peattie and Emma Crerar caused the Rebels constant problems with their classy attacking flair. A bag of touchdowns to Madeline Pemble, Danni Davis, Charmayne Nathan, Sam Rodgers, Natalie Hummelstad, and Laura Peattie saw the team progress to the Final.

In the other Semi Final the Hunter Western Hornets easily defeated the Sydney Mets 6-2 meaning the top two teams, the Scorps versus Hornets would play off for the Girls 16’s Championship.

The warm-up showed great team talk and enthusiasm with the girl’s just one game away from a memorable undefeated weekend. A drop-off in the Girls 14’s Final meant the game start was delayed. As a result the Scorps girls took time out and sat in the field dug-out. Looking to the Coaches for their final words they were simple. Coach Beaks message was straight forward enough - just to go out and win it, just do what they’d been doing all weekend. Dudie stated he didn’t need to speak any great words of inspiration - that was required from the opposition coach – the Scorps girls had the ability and belief it was just a matter of going out and getting the job done. In the meantime Charmayne Nathan gave the team a great dancing rendition of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” via Dudie’s iPhone. The game was now ready to commence with the final hurdle now ready to be hit head on.

The Final started at a hectic pace with the Scorps girls having to defend and once again frustrated the opposition with excellent team talk. However it wasn’t too long before the Scorps showed their class with Charmayne Nathan, Laura Peattie and Alana Lamerton all playing big roles. The Scorps went to a very handy 3-0 lead and throughout the game showed why they were the standout team all weekend. As the game went on so did the Scorps touchdowns now leading 5-1 with minutes to go. The sub-box was filled with absolute delight with Co-Captain Danni Davis congratulating players on their fantastic achievement. Touchdowns to Courtney Duguid, Charmayne Nathan, Mason McMillan, Laura Peattie and Alana Lamerton meant that the Scorps had convincingly beaten the Sydney Rebels 5-1 to take out the NSWTA Girls 16’s Regional Championships. The players, coaches, great supporters including many parents were all over the moon with delight.

What followed was the NSWTA Presentation which included the announcement of the 2010 NSWTA State Merit Team 16 Girls Representatives. A great reward saw five Scorps players make the State team, including; Alana Lamerton (Link), Charmayne Nathan (Middle), Courtney Duguid (Winger), Danni Davis (Link), Laura Peattie (Middle).

NSWTA presented the Scorps 16 Girls with their winning medals and there were huge smiles all round. Then the team had their own awards with Scorpions Medal Best & Fairest going to Charmayne Nathan, who had a fantastic tournament and was no doubt Player of the Final. The two Coaches awards went to Alana Lamerton & Sam Rodgers who also had excellent tournaments. Coaches Craig Beacroft and Anthony Dudeck thanked the Team Mangers Grace Mikaelian & Carole Eltakchi for their efforts over the weekend and lead-up to the tournament and also to the girls for their great belief and trust in the team game plan all weekend. Special thanks also went to Barry Gibson whose dedication to Scorpions Juniors for many years most certainly laid the foundation for the success over the weekend.

In the aftermath of the team’s success there have been many touching messages of thanks to all involved. This highlights the fact that this great achievement was very much a team effort. Most importantly a great amount of thanks must go to every one of the Sydney Scorpions 16’s Girls who did themselves, their families, their coaches, their clubs and the Scorpions permit very proud. Their strong minded self belief and determination proved that they can conquer any obstacle that is put in front of them, whether it be on the sporting field or in life in general. Losing is not an option, stand up for what you believe in and go out and get it! Until we meet again.

Dudie & BeaKs