MOUNT Gambier soccer player Sam Mills tasted grand final success in the 2019 Athletes with Disability (AWD) division of the Kanga Cup, held in Canberra last week.
It was a family affair, with his father Cliff coaching the United Abilities City side, which progressed through the tournament undefeated.
The AWD division was introduced into the annual Kanga Cup competition back in 2012 and provides those living with para and/or intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in a week of football and fun.
Played on a half pitch with seven-a-side and smaller goals, the seven-team competition consisted of a range of skill levels.
Sam – who plays soccer locally for Apollo – put in an impressive performance over the tournament and was awarded with most valuable player of the competition for his efforts.
In addition to that – and claiming the Kanga Cup – Sam broke the record for most goals scored at the carnival.
He kicked an impressive 28 goals over the five games in a dominant display.
“One of my team mates last year told me the most was 25 (goals), so I broke the record by three goals,” Sam said.
“I was pretty happy with that.”
It was his second year in the competition and his second taste of victory, after he won the cup as part of the One Culture team in 2018.
“I did the Kanga Cup last year and we were unstoppable throughout the whole thing,” Sam said.
“We versed New South Wales in the grand final and we beat them 4-1.
“Hopefully next year I can do the same thing again and get the hat-trick.”
It was a similar result this year, as Sam and his team were a cut above throughout the carnival.
A grand final match against Football New South Wales was the final obstacle, but with a 10-0 win the United Abilities side rose to the challenge and claimed the cup.
“At the start it was a bit nerve racking – we had to try and get the first couple of goals in,” Sam said.
“But after that we sat back and kicked a few more goals and were able to relax.”
Of the 10 goals scored in the final Sam kicked five, which saw him uphold his consistency of scoring five goals in every match, aside from an eight-goal haul in the 19-4 win over Football Connect White.
However, despite the results the most important thing to come from the event was the enjoyment of those involved.
“It was all about having fun and meeting new people and creating friendships,” Sam said.
For his father it was also a rewarding experience as coach of the side, after he received the call up before the cup, due to there being two United Abilities teams this year.
“The philosophy I had for the kids was to go out and enjoy themselves – win, lose or draw,” Cliff said.
“That is what we did and it paid off.”
Cliff said he was proud of what the team achieved and enjoyed the opportunity to coach the side.
“It was an enjoyable experience and it was nice to watch these kids play,” he said.
“Sam won the player of the tournament, but it was very much a team effort.
“I said to the side, ‘teams win games, not individuals’ and that is how they went about it.
“They all quite enjoyed it and I enjoyed it as well.”
