In an U16 regional qualifying tournament unfolding in exceptionally rainy, slippery conditions at High Wycombe, the young Panthers salvaged one draw and two single-goal losses from a tough series of 10 matches.
They returned injury-free – more than could be said for some of their opponents – but were unable to secure a league spot, in a similar vein to the senior Panthers.
It will go down in coach Heidi Rosamund’s memory as the worst tournament conditions she has seen.
‘You couldn’t run, you couldn’t jump, you couldn’t turn, you couldn’t catch,’ she said.
‘It was just absolutely brutal.’
The coach admitted that conditions were the same for everyone, though she did highlight her side’s lack of outdoor experience compared to many rival teams.
From the squad, which featured four competitors at the top of the U16 age group but otherwise made of younger players, she highlighted Amity Horton and Daisy Le Page as standout performers.
After the tournament, Rosamund has received an outpour of support from fellow teams.
‘I have a lot of contacts in the South region and we’ve had so many teams contact us and say we’re absolutely gutted you’re not in the league,’ she said.
Yet, thanks to these contacts and many of the 27 teams having also not qualified, there are talks about a developmental league similar to the one that the senior Panthers contested last season.
While the league is to be confirmed, Rosamund is hopeful that the youngsters will get to step out regularly against UK opposition.
An added bonus is that these teams have shown interest in coming to Guernsey – as opposed to the seniors playing only away weekends last season.
‘We are looking at something like the seniors did last year, but these teams have expressed that they want to come to Guernsey.’
