NUAFC 1968-2018

1983 Youth (U-17)
1983
Standing: Darryn Allison, Mark Abbott, Wayne Vickers, Stephen Puncheon, Alex Peebles, David Parrish.
Kneeling: Owen Allison, Eugene Patterson, Neil Newport, Clifton Newport, Wayne Frankhouser.
Full Youth Squad
Owen Allison (4 goals)
Mark Abbott (3 goals)
Darryn Allison (3 goals)
David Bright
Johnnie Duffull (4 goals)
Wayne Frankhouser
Phillip Gray
Derek Lauder
Peter Magee (2 goals)
Michael McLaren
Stuart Miller
Sean Miller
Clifton Newport
Neil Newport
David Parrish
Eugene Patterson (1 goal)
Gary Paul
Gavin Peebles
Deane Puncheon
Wayne Vickers
Blair Aberhart
Malcolm Douglas
Robbie Lynch
Douglas Everleigh
A. Kukutai
Most Clubs' youth learn their basic skills at junior level. This
prerequisite, I believe, is a crucial part of any player's development. The
harder he works at perfecting his skills and the many facets of the game at
an early age, the easier it will be for him when he reaches Senior level.
This brings me to the point that older players become
frustrated with many young lads who have just attained senior level or, in
our case, the 2nd Division. Many have not been drilled, nor mastered the very
important mental attributes that make a good footballer. These are
concentration, patience and an unshakeable belief in his own ability as a
player.
I have seen many cases where a young player has been on the
sharp end of his coach's tongue for ball-watching instead of concentrating
on the job at hand, or diving into a tackle with reckless abandon when he should
be holding off so his team can regroup and support him and their goal.
Then there are his team-mates pouring unrepeatable comments about his
footballing ability every time he is caught in possession. Sounds familiar, doesn't
it!!!!
Any footballer who can achieve a high level of mental
application and skills at an early age will, almost certainly, become a first-team
player. But, unfortunately, because the Club does not have the resources to
bring in top-grade coaches at junior levels, many of our youth mature late,
mentally. Their skills are good but, through no fault of their own, they lack
character. This is where the old campaigner can make a valuable contribution,
as long as it is not of negative quality. He should always make an effort to
give right information and encouragement, particularly when he can see the
younger player having trouble coping with players like himself who have the
benefit of a few more years of experience.
Having said all this, one can appreciate how important the 2nd Division and
Youth Squads are, as it is here that the future Northern League players begin their
careers.
- George Sunnex, Club President
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