Some of Illawarra's youngest players enjoyed some bonus games of soccer at the recent Luke Kerr under-8s Memorial Day, hosted by the Russell Vale junior club.
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The popular annual event featured 14 teams and has been held since 1995, honouring the memory of former Russell Vale under-8s player Luke Kerr, who was killed in a road accident on Bellambi Lane.
Russell Vale provided a host of teams at the non-competitive Gala Day with Figtree, Unanderra, Bulli, Port Kembla, Balgownie, Thirroul, Coniston and Coledale also supporting the event.
With the youngsters backing up from their regular Football South Coast games on the Saturday, they loved the chance to play four more 30-minute games the next day.
The Cawley Park-based Russell Vale junior club is enjoying a growth in registration numbers up from 150 players in 2011, to 172 in 2012 and 215 players this season.
The club has 24 teams from under-6s through to under-17s, including girls' teams in under-9s, 10s, 12s, 15s and 17s.
"There's a real community feel about the club," Russell Vale junior secretary Stephen Smart said.
"We've a hard-working committee fully committed to giving boys and girls a chance to play for their local club."