Football?s back in 2012!

Grassroots football is the foundation for all elite footballers across the world. It?s the entry point in which they fall in love with the game.
Two elite Australian footballers who fell in love with the game at grassroots level and went on to glamorous club careers overseas as well as representing Australia are Sydney FC?s Brett Emerton and Heather Garriock.
Emerton, 32, returned home to Australia to join Sydney FC in the Hyundai A-League this season and has renewed his links to the game?s grassroots.
?I started out with my local community club, Gunners Soccer Club and like so many youngsters I had dreams of career in football,? said Brett.
?I?m so fortunate that I?ve had so many opportunities to play with great clubs in Australia and in Europe and represent my country as well, but it all started with my mates at a local club with mums and dads giving up their time to run the show.
?My experience shows what can happen, but my message is simply to get boys and girls playing the game and enjoying themselves at a young age and then staying involved as they grow up. Football is a game that stays with you for life.?
Garriock, 28, who plays for Sydney FC in the Westfield W-League, started her football career with the Leppington Lions and also believes that playing football from a young age is a great way for kids to get active and make lifelong friends.
?Football has given me amazing opportunities and experiences in life,? said Garriock.
?For me it all started with my local football club and the fun I had playing the game at young age has stuck with me all through my career.?
FFA CEO Ben Buckley echoed the thoughts of Emerton and Garriock and highlighted them both as fantastic ambassadors of the game.
?Brett is the quintessential Australian football success story,? said Buckley.
?He started on the fields of Greater Western Sydney, the heartland of game, and followed the development pathway through NSW, to the national set up, on to the big time in Europe and, of course, the FIFA World Cup finals.
?Most of all, Brett is a wonderful role model for the youngsters starting out today. He?s a gifted player, but people also see his integrity and love of the game. He will be a fine ambassador for community football.
?Heather has also been a fantastic success story for Women?s football in Australia and her talent and dedication have taken her around the world.
?Making her international debut at 16 was the start of an amazing football journey through 125 games so far and three FIFA Women?s World Cups, two AFC Women’s Asian Cups and two Olympic Games.
?On top of that she is a championship winning player with Sydney FC and has also played in professional leagues in the USA, Denmark and Sweden. Any youngster with stars in their eyes would be dazzled by Heather’s story.”

Visit www.playfootballnsw.com.au to find your local club