The parking lot at Sale United Football Club was arguably never busier than on Monday, October 10, when hundreds of schoolchildren and their parents descended on the soccer grounds for the opening round of Twilight Soccer.

Sale’s youngest soccer players have participated in the twilight soccer competition at the SUFC grounds since 1993, with 15 teams participating in the inaugural instalment.

The twilight competition has had as many as 61 participating teams in its 29 years, with this year’s number, 53, pushing close to the record, a delightful outcome following the past two COVID seasons.

Action from Twilight Soccer at Sale United Football Club featuring Prep/Foundation students Longford Prep vs PS Foundy Blue. Photos: Zoe Askew

SUFC junior coordinator Laurel Irvine said COVID delayed twilight soccer last year, but once the ball was rolling, “families were very happy to be out and about”.

“We have had more teams a few times prior to COVID, but there are more players [this year] than last year, which is great to see,” Laurel said.

With Victoria forecast to receive the brunt of the torrential rain thanks to a slow-moving cold front and surface trough that’s dragging moisture down from the La Niña and negative IOD-charged tropics, soccer goers were blessed with impeccable conditions on Monday.

Organisers and participants alike couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon.

“Beautiful sunshine, lots of kids out and about, not stuck inside; it was organised chaos,” Laurel said.

“It has taken a lot of preparation in the lead-up to the first round of twilight soccer, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of our many volunteers.

“Our referees are players from our SUFC junior side, and some of our senior players provide backup and support when needed as well as lending a hand in the canteen.”

Prep/Foundation studentsPS Foundy Yellow vs Guthridge Tigers.

Kicking off the annual twilight soccer competition was the Prep/Foundation and Year 1/2 Group A teams.

Laughter echoed across the park as the newest schoolchildren ran amuck across the condensed playing field, swarming the ball like bees to honey.

It wasn’t just the children emitting joyful-sounding laughter; parents chortled as they watched on from the sidelines, hands meeting chests as if to say ‘how cute’.

Year 1/2: GGS Storm vs PS Ninjas.

At 5pm, Year 1/2 Group B teams, all Year 3/4 teams and Year 5/6 Group A teams took the field for the second round of games, with Year 5/6 Group B teams concluding the afternoon, kicking off at 5.50pm.

More information on the twilight soccer competition can be found on Sale United Football Club Facebook page.

Prep/Foundation: GGS Flames vs 545 Team Macarthur.

Twilight Soccer competition Round 1 winners:

Prep/Foundation

  • GGS Flames,
  • PS Foundy Yellow,
  • GGS Lightning,
  • Guthridge Lions,
  • Longford Prep (draw),
  • PS Foundy Blue (draw).

Year 1/2

  • PS Tommy’s Blue,
  • GGS Bolts,
  • GGS Storm,
  • 545 Team Marley,
  • GGS Tornados,
  • 545 Team Foster,
  • GGS Shocks (draw),
  • PS Strikers (draw).

Year 3/4

  • GGS Chargers,
  • PS Mini Socceroos,
  • 545 Team Dundas,
  • GGS Hurricanes,
  • PS The Panthers,
  • St Marys 3/4 Team 2.

Year 5/6

  • Stratty Red Fury,
  • St Marys 5/6 Team 2,
  • GGS Asteroids,
  • 545 Team Mcallister,
  • St Marys 5/6 Team 1,
  • Guthridge Rams (draw),
  • GGS Meteors (draw).