photo by stevenlyons.blogspot.com

On Saturday over 300 footballers from across the Sunshine Coast, met at the Maleny showground where the Maleny Rangers FC hosted an Under 6 Football Carnival.

The gorgeous weather ensured a great turn out at the Carnival, where each team played 4 matches over the course of the day. How fantastic to see the 4-a-side teams in their club strips running around, enthusiastically chasing the ball.

In our small town way, Maleny met our visitors with o

pen arms. As with any big event, it takes a lot of dedicated volunteers to make it happen. Thank you to our members and their families who were able to bake goodies for the stall, set-up, organize, serve at the various food stalls, pack-up and generally assist where needed

photo by stevenlyons.blogspot.com

Our Club is also fortunate to have many members of our community who, although not currently playing for the club, are as good as Ranger members; these are the wonderful people who come along to events such as this just to help out and enjoy the community spirit that envelops the day. Thank you again, to these wonderful people, without whom we would have struggled; in particular Kate Brown and John Brown, who were the key organizers and our volunteer photographer, Stephen Lyon, for the fantastic action shots!

A huge thankyou also goes out to our generous sponsors: Maleny Motor Trimmers; Rachel Leigh Optometrists; IT Concept Computers; Maleny Menswear; Maleny Auto Spares; Network Video; Mitre 10; Top of the Range Meats; Rosetta Books; Colin James; Upfront Club & Nepali Shop, whose sponsorship assisted with the many costs involved in hosting such an event and made it possible for each participant to leave with a Maleny Rangers medallion and small yoghurt ice-block.

For information about the U6 Carnival, please go to our SSF Carnvial page, by clicking here.

Maleny Rangers will be hosting the 2nd and last U6 Carnival this season. It is traditionally, our 2nd major fundraiser for the year. With 320 U6 players expected, we need all the help we can get. We’ll need help for the following times. Please contact me, if you can assist.

· Fri 12-2pm… setting up canteen at Norris House (including moving BBQ)
· Sat 7 – 9am… setting up marques, fields etc
· Sat 8.30-11.30… manning canteen & BBQ
· Sat 11.30-2.00… manning canteen & BBQ
· Sat 2 – 3pm… packing up

Our two under 6 teams, Bunyas & Cedars, recently attended their first Carnival at Woombye. We were lucky enough to have our fields side by side so both team’s families could set up together for the day and enjoy everyone’s games.

Under the direction of Coach Dave Lapsley and team leader Geoff McKie both teams had four great games each. The kids did us all proud – the kicks-in were almost as long as the run-ups to take them; the goal shooting was nail-biting; the cheering was fervent and the sportsmanship displayed by our kids was commendable.

Everyone now has their first impressive soccer medal from the day and are looking forward to our upcoming Maleny U6 Carnival later in the season.