The under-17 girls nervously watching the grand final penalty shoot-out. Albany entered 10 teams in the junior county week soccer championships held in Perth from Sept 27-Oct 3, 2025.
BREAKING: Albany’s young athletes have made a significant mark at the Football West junior country week, clinching a silver medal and two bronze medals after competing with 10 teams in the prestigious tournament. The event concluded at the Kingsway Sporting Complex in Perth earlier this month, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The highlight of the competition came when the Albany girls under-17 team reached the finals of the McCallum event, facing off against Country Coastal. Despite taking the lead in the first half with a goal from Amaya Dobbe, the team fell short in a nail-biting penalty shootout, losing 4-2 after drawing 1-1 in regulation time.
Albany’s under-15 mixed team showcased their skills by finishing third overall, dominating Karratha 5-0 in a decisive playoff. The under-14 girls also secured third place, beating Country Coastal 2-1 thanks to a remarkable performance, including an own goal and a strike from Makiah Suttie.
Coach Joe Trichilo expressed pride in his team’s resilience and performance under pressure. “It was an honor to lead the side. I’m so proud of them, especially the girls who took the penalties in front of a really vocal crowd,” Trichilo said. He acknowledged the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to key players like Lumeah Masih and Jessica Baines, who will age out next year, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of youth sports.
Throughout the tournament, Albany’s teams demonstrated prowess, with the under-17 squad finishing the pool matches with six wins and two draws, topping their table. Dobbe emerged as the standout player, scoring five goals during the tournament and leading Albany in scoring.
The under-15 mixed team faced challenges, including a loss to Leeuwin-Naturaliste, but they bounced back to claim bronze in a thrilling playoff. Their early dominance helped secure the victory, netting four goals in the first half against Karratha.
In addition to the success of the medal-winning teams, the under-12 girls team finished fourth in their competition, contributing to a robust Albany presence, which included 150 players, 15 coaches, and 10 team managers at the event.
As the excitement from the tournament settles, Albany teams will look to build on this experience, inspiring the next generation of players. With the tournament’s conclusion, all eyes will be on how these young athletes can continue to develop and compete at higher levels in the future.
