Our Forbes junior soccer girls have proven they can take on the best in the State - conceding their Champion of Champion League opener only 1-0 in extra time.
Forbes' predominantly Under 12s side took on State Cup winners Under 13s Belrose-Terrey Hills Raiders from Manly Association at Botanical Gardens on Sunday and the scores were locked at nil-all at full time.
The visitors scored the one goal of the match nearly 10 minutes in to extra time.
Forbes and District Soccer Association's Doug Mckenzie paid tribute to the young Forbes side, debuting as the only country girls team in the competition.
"The girls ran their hearts out, it was a very even game," McKenzie said.
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The Raiders had a few more opportunities at goal, but Forbes had some runaway opportunities where it came down to centre forward against goal keeper.
"The girls are on a pathway and we've demonstrated that we can compete with the best in the State," McKenzie said.
The undefeated Raiders come from an Association of 17,000 players, making our girls' achievements particularly impressive.
The winners will now continue to take on Bexley FC in the Champion of Champions League, and the Forbes girls will take a break and plan for 2025.
Given that 13 of the girls are 10, 11 and 12 years old, they'll be able to play again next year and McKenzie is looking forward to continuing to work with them through the local club's Academy program.
"We will reset to start in February, with the Merino Cup in Goulburn in March," he said.
The year's program is mapped out from there.
Forbes and District Soccer hasn't stopped altogether, three local players are signed up for a regional girls development tour of the Philippines.
The girls, who are aged 12 to 15, will train at the national stadium before competition - we hope to catch up with them before they go!
