Sydney FC Support ESFA Small Sided Football Gala Day
Sydney FC captain, Terry McFlynn, Daniel Petkovski, Adam Griffiths, Ali Abbas and Rhyan Grant were at Coral Sea Park, posing for photographs and signing autographs for over 500 boys and girls from Coogee United, Easts FC, Kincoppal, Maccabi Juniors, Maroubra United, Mascot Kings, Olympic Eagles and Waverley Old Boys.
ESFA President, Raff Del Vecchio, was in high spirits seeing the youngest footballers in the Eastern Suburbs enjoying the day and meeting their local heroes.
?Geographically, we are smack bang in the middle of Sydney FC?s catchment area and it is absolutely great to have them supporting us on our day and having their players, including their club captain, signing autographs for the kids,? Del Vecchio said.
?The overwhelming sentiment that I?m receiving is how positive the day is. It is great to see kids with smiles on their faces and parents enjoying football in a non-competitive atmosphere where the focus is on skill development and kids enjoying themselves,? he added.
Stefan Kamasz, the General Manager of Community and Game Development at Sydney FC, was joyous to see the success of the Gala Day.
?You just see the look of delight on their faces when they are kicking the ball and I think it is fantastic to see so many kids here, boys and girls, playing in this gala day,? Kamasz said.
All participants on the day received a special ESFA/Sydney FC Small Sided T-Shirt, which the A-League stars happily signed with many of the young participants signing up for the free Sydney FC Junior Blues Membership for the 2012/13 season.
?Every child 12 years and under gets a free membership with Sydney FC and all the benefits that come with it. One of those benefits is the free travel to the games and we are also offering special offers to the parents as well which includes free travel,? Kamasz explained.
The Gala Day was part of ESFA?s continued commitment of the Small Sided Football Program, which has been running since 2008 and extends from the youngest age groups through to 11 year olds. The program complies with the FFA recognized pathway for young players, with participants encouraged to learn and develop their ability in a modified, non-competitive version of the game.
ESFA would like to thank our friends from Sydney FC and everyone involved with the Gala Day who made it a great day for all participants.
-ESFA Media Release
