Kentish Express Ashford & District
Tune turns Sonics into double winners
Football
Emma Tune has hit the right note in her role as coach of Ashford Courtside Sonics under-11s.
The Gillingham Ladies midfielder took over two years ago when the team were conceding double figures every week but it’s a different story now, with the youngsters clinching a Ashford & District Youth League and Cup double.
They were whipping boys at one stage but things changed in 2013-14 when they won the under-10s cup final and finished third in the league.
Club connections admitted it would be hard to beat that but top it they did, winning two trophies and 18 of their 19 league games. Arsenal fan Emma said: “I became involved with the team through Pavilion Soccer Schools, when they were under-9s.
“They were being beaten 12-0 week-in, week-out but won the cup the season before and have now gone on to win the double.
“I am pleased for them because the kids and their parents are all a nice bunch.”
Sonics’ latest success came with victory in the Faversham Strike Force tournament at Abbey School last weekend.
Ashford born and bred, Emma attended Christchurch School, now the John Wallis Academy.
She admits football is her life and left a job as a teaching assistant at the town’s North School to set up her own coaching business.
She gained a BTech in sport, before studying a degree in sports studies at Herts University before spending two years at the Arsenal Academy.
Reflecting on her release by the Gunners, she admitted: “It was hard to take but they were two of the best years of my life. It was a experience.”
A move to Charlton Ladies followed before she switched to Gillingham. She was the only player to start every game last season for Gills in a disappointing campaign, culminating in relegation. She scored twice, including the winner, in a 5-3 victory over London
great Corinthians, as Gills made history by lifting the Kent Cup for a fourth year running.