Annissee’s show of talent
WITH a touch of a young Pele, Townsville junior gun Annissee Reuben has a big future ahead.
Part of Townsville’s under-12 Brolgas side which claimed the title at the Fillipo Mele Football Carnival on the weekend, Annissee’s talent was on show, with coach Jason Cipollino believing big things lay ahead for the player.
“He was named under-12 player of the carnival and he definitely has a big future if he wants to go all the way,” Cipollino said.
“He’s got heaps of skill with the ball at his feet with his centre of gravity and he’s quick on the ball.
“He’ll also look up and get that pass though and get the one-two and he has the mindset to know whether to pass or take a player on. He’s very good.”
The Brolgas went through their 12 games with nine wins, one draw and two losses, with the competition coming down to a nailbiter.
Cipollino said his players’ “heart” got them across the line.
“It was a pretty close competition which came down to the last game to see if we’d won,” he said.
“We needed to win or draw and we played Cairns and won 2-0.
“The team has a lot of heart and they don’t give up. Even when we went a goal down they never gave up and kept pushing.
“The team meshed really well instead of a lot of individual play and that’s (down) to their teamwork.”
In the carnival’s 35th year, 39 teams from under-9s to 12s including a representative program tournament featuring Skill Acquisition Phase (SAP) sides from North, Far North, Central and Mackay were all on show.
North Queensland won the SAP Carnival and director of North Queensland Football Declan Carnes said the standard was as high as ever.
“The standard was of very high quality in each age group,” he said.
A bonus for players was being under the watchful eye of Carnes and talent scouts, and with assistance available, Carnes said opportunities were there.
“Mcdonald’s has been kind enough to provide $5000 for kids who genuinely can’t afford SAP or the Talent Support Program,” he said.
“We can identify kids at these programs and we’ll do anything to get them in.”