Future of Eastern Suburbs is bright: Edwards

Eastern Suburbs FC grade nine coach Hoani Edwards could not be any more proud of his teams.

The two sides, Lilywhites and Whites, played in the Three Kings 9th Grade Football Nationals last weekend at Keith Hay Park despite the horrendous weather.

The Lilywhites made it to the quarterfinals, bundled out by Western Springs 1-0, while the Whites won the plate final.

Despite their playoff exit, Edwards says the two teams played really well, adding the future of Eastern Suburbs FC looks bright with the talent of its junior teams.

‘‘We would have loved to go further into the next round and it would have been even tougher.

‘‘Our teams were devastated about the loss in the quarters and I told them they couldn’t have played any better than their best.

‘‘The weather wasn’t that good, it was pouring but the kids still turned up and played their hearts out.’’

Edwards says the participation of teams at the national competition proves how much the sport continues to grow in the country.

‘‘There were teams that came from as far as Canterbury, Waikato, Tauranga and Cambridge. Everyone turned up, despite the poor weather and had fun.

‘‘And I bet you, 90 per cent of those kids would want to do it all over again this weekend if they could - which is a good thing.’’