The inaugural Summer 7s Challenge Cup has come to an exciting close, and what a fantastic showcase of junior soccer talent it was! Over six weeks, young players across five leagues battled it out, displaying passion, determination, and outstanding skill, with the grand finale delivering plenty of excitement for players, families, and spectators alike.
Under 9 Boys
The Under 9 competition kept fans on edge until the very last day. AUFC Pelicans Orange came out strong, leading the standings, but in a crucial matchup, Armstrong Blue delivered a decisive 4-1 victory. While Armstrong Blue finished runners-up, it was Barwon SC who stole the show, claiming the title with a dominant 9-0 win to leap into first place.
🏆 Winners: Barwon SC
🥈 Runners-Up: Armstrong Blue
🥉 Third Place: AUFC Pelicans Orange
Under 11 Boys
The Under 11 final was an all-Geelong showdown, with Geelong United 1 and Geelong United 2 both coached by Sean Flannagan. The two teams proved inseparable in regulation time, finishing 2-2, before an incredible penalty shootout saw Geelong United 2 edge out their clubmates 10-9. Meanwhile, Geelong SC Lions comfortably secured third place with a 3-0 win over Polders FC (Leopold).
🏆 Winners: Geelong United 2
🥈 Runners-Up: Geelong United 1
🥉 Third Place: Geelong SC Lions
Under 13 Boys
The U13 competition was headlined by the dominant Kings Army, led by James King, who lived up to their name. Comprising players from the U12 Country Champs representative team, they marched to victory, defeating Corio SC 2-0 in the final and conceding just one goal all tournament! Bell Park SC, a standout in the group stages, finished third after a hard-fought semifinal defeat to Corio SC.
🏆 Winners: Kings Army
🥈 Runners-Up: Corio SC
🥉 Third Place: Bell Park SC
Under 13 Girls
In the most hotly contested league, the North Geelong Warriors rose to the occasion, defeating a strong Barwon SC side 2-0 in the final. Barwon SC had topped the group stages but couldn’t overcome North Geelong’s determination. Lara United and Corio SC shared third place after an exciting 1-1 draw in their playoff.
🏆 Winners: North Geelong SC
🥈 Runners-Up: Barwon SC
🥉 Third Place: Shared – Lara United & Corio SC
Under 15 Girls
The Under 15 Girls saw North Geelong Warriors Red dominate from start to finish. They capped off a brilliant campaign with a win over North Geelong Warriors Black in an all-Warriors final. The Geelong Champs, representing the U14 Country Champs team, rounded out the podium, finishing third after a strong win over Barwon SC. Special mention goes to Barwon SC’s talented U12 team, who competed valiantly against older opponents and showed plenty of promise for the future.
🏆 Winners: North Geelong Warriors Red
🥈 Runners-Up: North Geelong Warriors Black
🥉 Third Place: Geelong Champs
A Tournament to Remember
Football Geelong’s first-ever Summer 7s Challenge Cup has proven to be a massive success, giving players a chance to shine in the off-season and fans plenty of memorable moments to cheer about. From nail-biting penalty shootouts to emphatic victories, every match brought something special to the field.
As this year’s competition wraps up, it’s clear the Summer 7s is here to stay. With the talent on display and growing enthusiasm for the format, we can’t wait to see this tournament continue to expand and inspire young soccer stars for years to come.
Thank you to all players, coaches, clubs, and families for making this such a fantastic event. Bring on next year!
