By Marc McGowan
ENGLAND soccer superstar David Beckham’s brief stay in Australia last week is being hailed as the catalyst for the stunning numbers flocking to new junior club Cardinia United.
While Beckham snagged a trademark brilliant goal for his club L.A Galaxy in an otherwise meaningless exhibition match against Sydney last Tuesday night, he was having a greater impact in Pakenham.
Cardinia United president Rob Hastings is in no doubt as to the reason behind the membership spike at the local soccer entity.
“Beckham mania has hit Pakenham. We have had a huge response after Tuesday in our membership,” Mr Hastings said.
“The phones have been running rampantly. We have 125 kids in our club at the moment (after registration began in September).”
Despite the huge numbers, Cardinia United officials have decided to wait a further 12 months before joining a Football Federation Victoria league.
The club had its last training session for the year on Tuesday and will hold an intra-club competition in 2008 rather than throwing its youngsters, which range from age five to 14, in the deep end.
“We want to get kids used to playing soccer in Pakenham,” Mr Hastings said.
“We will spend next year honing our skills and by the end of next year we will be a very strong club.”
The plan is for Cardinia United to play ‘small-sided’ matches, with players competing weekly in their respective age groups.
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