Sport
6 November, 2025
Grampians United players shine in Shepparton Cup
Players from the South West Victorian Football Association headed to Shepparton recently to compete in the Shepparton Cup held over three days from Friday, 24th to Sunday, 26th October.
WRITTEN BY CRAIG POTTER
The South West league entered seven teams in the prestigious event, with age groups including U10s, U11s, U12s, U13s, U15s, U16/17s boys and U15s girls' teams.
This is the largest junior football(soccer) tournament in Victoria, comprising over 4000 players and 400 teams playing at the Shepparton Sports City, one of Australia`s showcase sports precincts and Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
The event attracts a combination of representative leagues, NPL, metropolitan, interstate, and international teams, including teams from Melbourne academies.
All South West teams performed competitively during the tournament, showcasing their skills in dry and wet weather conditions. Our local soccer side, Grampians United FC, had several players involved in most of the age groups. The U11s team was most successful and were crowned champions after winning the LIGA Plate competition
The U11s boys team included Grampians United players Archie Coxon, Pat Davidson, Oscar Potter, Joshua Bartorelli, Bradley Rudolph and Toby McGrath. It also consisted of Bede Schwarz from Horsham FC, Harry Sabo from Warrnambool Rangers FC, David McFarlene, Charlie Miller-Win and Laszio Kerekere the Hamilton FC, Oliver Harris and Noah Daffy from Warrnambool Wolves FC and was coached by Grampians United's Craig Potter.
There were six pools in the U11s age bracket, with South West playing in pool A, finishing third. The first game was played against Surf Coast FC, losing 1-0, with Surf Coast FC scoring in the last minutes of the game.
The second game was against a metro team, Caroline Springs George Cross FC, losing 2-1, in a very tight game with Joshua Bartorelli kicking the goal for SWVFA.
The last game of the pool was against Brimbank Stallions FC, winning 2-1, with Josh Bartorelli and David McFarlene kicking the goals.
Finishing third with a higher percentage than the other teams, they were promoted to the quarter finals and played St Albans FC, winning 2-0 in wet, windy conditions. Bradley Rudolph and Oliver Harris kicked the goals.
The semi-final against Barwon SC was a great game, with neither team giving up. Joshua Bartorelli came off at half-time with a slight injury but battled on to finish the game with Archie Coxon delivering the goal to send the team into the final.
The final was against Murray United, one of the strongest sides in the competition. South West hit the scoreboard early in the game with a goal from Oliver Harris.
In another tight game, both teams had chances to score, but the defensive structure of both teams held together until the ball passed the keeper late in the game, and Murray United scored to level the game at 1-1.
This sent the teams into a penalty shootout with South West goalkeeper Harry Sabo composed under pressure, rising to a magnificent performance, saving several goals to enable South West to win 3-1 in penalties and be crowned the Shepparton Cup Champions.