Soccer's new leader

Blumont's Kim Lockhart has been elected president of Northern Tasmanian Junior Soccer Association.

January 31, 2024

Blumont’s Kim Lockhart has been elected President of the Northern Tasmanian Junior Soccer Association.

It’s a big achievement for the mother of four given the North-East region she has grown up in has no soccer club involved with the association, which has around 2000 players taking part in rosters at Launceston’s Churchill Park.

“I’d love to see more kids playing from the North-East,” Mrs Lockhart said.

“There are a number that travel through to Launceston and George Town to play but for the region to have its own club it’s about getting enough numbers to have them train within reasonable age groups.

“There are teams that are training in other regional areas who register and play as part of the smaller clubs that compete in NTJSA so that is another option I would be happy to look at if there is enough interest from the North-East community.”

Mrs Lockhart has taken over as President for the upcoming season after becoming Treasurer in 2022.

Her first taste of the round ball game came when her eldest son Jamari played with the North East Country Gold school team in Grade 4.

“That’s where his love of soccer was ignited and the following year all the boys signed up with George Town to play,” she said.

“My husband Greg played soccer in school but I had never been exposed in the North East because it’s mainly about netball and Aussie Rules football.

“But like a lot of parents, when your kids are involved, you naturally become involved – you are there for a long time so you may as well help out.

“I travelled with an NTJSA team to the Kanga Cup in Canberra in 2019 as a carer and then in 2021/22 I managed the under-12 Rep team under 12s and managed another rep team travelling to the Sydney International Cup for under 11s.

“I just love the environment soccer creates and seeing the passion my kids have for the game I wanted to give back to the game that brings them so much enjoyment.”

Her children now play with Launceston City.