Grassroots Football takes centre stage

The wait is finally over.
Players of all ages across both genders from all parts of NSW are preparing for what will be an exciting year ahead in Grassroots football as the official season commences for most this weekend.
In what has been a long off-season, players, coaches, referees and officials will be busy once more doing what they love best and that’s playing this wonderful game called football.
The great aspects about football is that playing it keeps all participants fit, healthy and gives them a chance to catch up with friends on a regular basis – there is also of course that winning factor but everyone’s a winner in engaging with the round ball game.
MyFootbalClub has also hit new heights for 2013.
In 2012, the MyFootballClub encompassed 475,000 registrations from January to June 2012 and included online self-registration for players. This meant no more paper forms or waiting in queues.
Associations also had access to a competition management tool that allowed club or associations fixtures and results to be available online as well as free websites for their Clubs.
Registrations were also available for coaches, volunteers, match officials and club officials, which has given participants the ability to update their details if they require changing and providing more accurate information of participation in the non-playing roles across Australia
Features included an optional secure online payment system, player self-registration, a club management and reporting tool, and a search tool to find your FFA Number.
With a greater emphasis on getting involved in football at the grassroots level, MyFootballClub has a strong focus on providing information for our indigenous community, women’s football, players with a disability and anyone that wants to be part of the game that has recently arrived in Australia.
With more than 550,000 players expected to play outdoor community football in Australia this season, 2013 promises to be one of the best yet as various Football NSW associations commented on their expectations.
Sutherland Shire Football Association General Manager Jeff Stewart was eagerly looking forward to the year ahead as player numbers were again solid in the Shire region.
“We are all waiting for yet another fantastic year.
“Our numbers are solid and the fields are in the best condition yet.
“We recently held our All Age 1 Men’s football season launch which looked great and we will be showcasing our senior women’s A football at Seymour Shaw Park in a few weeks which is certainly exciting and puts us all in good stead for the 2013 season.”
Blacktown District Football Association CEO Jack Taylor was excited about this season’s prospects.
“All the players in the BDSFA district are certainly looking forward to a great season ahead.
“I know many clubs have stated how enthusiastic they all are patiently awaiting that first kick-off but it’s great to see so many kids kicking a ball so early in the year.”
Canterbury District Soccer Football Association Competitions Manager Trent Thomas stressed that their association were looking at trying different things in keeping players happy as well as focusing on the growth of women’s football.
“We are finding new ways in engaging with our participants in keeping them happy as we know that there is a lot of winter sport competition now.
“We are looking forward to the season ahead with our main focus being getting more females playing our sport as well as looking after our participants who consistently join year by year.”
Nepean District Soccer Football Association Operations Manager Linda Cerone joined in on their association’s preparations for the 2013 season.
“With only days to go until kick off all at NDSFA are excited about the year ahead.
“Our competitions and small sided football activities are kicking off this weekend and we’re all excited about that.
“We have seen a shift in more adults participating this season which is great news with our registrations to date looking reasonably healthy and will remain open to increases until mid-June.”
Griffith and District Amateur Soccer Association Secretary Angelo Cirillo stressed the importance of keeping the kids happy first and foremost above everything else.
“Our main focus is keeping the kids happy as we want to make sure we steer them on the right path in continuing to play the sport when they reach their teenage and senior years – we really want the rural kids to play football and with competition from other sports, we need to keep them interested.
“We also have a new CDM whose main focus is not only looking after the grassroots coaches but educating them across all levels in increasing the coaching standards.”
Eastern Suburbs Football Association General Manager Aaron Dibdin stated to Football NSW that player numbers were going reasonably well with the senior participants reaching well over 3000 which has been recorded as a first for the association.
“Player numbers are doing relatively well at the present moment.
“Senior football is going crazy, in a first for the association, we have well over 3000 registered senior footballers which is a great achievement.
“On another positive front, a number of clubs are marketing their product in making football more affordable for younger kids especially which is great news.
“All in all, everyone at ESFA is pumped for the season ahead.”
Football South Coast CEO Bill Kostandas noted that the association was gearing up for a busy season but was delighted with the response to women’s football within the area.
“We’re all generally excited about the up and coming season but I have to mention that our female numbers have increased greatly from last season.
“We now have over 600 women playing the sport which is great on top of our current player base with numbers in juniors increasing slightly.
“Our vision is that every member of our community on the South Coast will experience the teamwork and social inclusion credited by participating in the game of football meaning that the game is not only for the players, coaches, officials and referees to enjoy, but for the mums and dads as well as the friends of the participants – it is this that makes our game so unique.”
Macarthur Football Association General Manager Glenn Armstrong highlighted that being the 30th anniversary year for the association, things have certainly looked positive for 2013.
“We at Macarthur Football Association are certainly looking forward to what will be a memorable year being our 30th as well.
“Our numbers have increased and a positive sign is that we’ve managed to see our female participants grow also.
“We have a special day dedicated to women’s football on the 29th of June whereby Lynwood Park will be transformed into a day promoting female football at Macarthur.”
Gladesville Hornsby Football Association General Manager Kay Iredale boasted that player numbers were on the up and that everyone involved were eagerly anticipating that first whistle for kick off this weekend.
“I can tell you that we have a number of really enthusiastic participants ready for their season of football this season.
“Player numbers have been rather positive and as an association we are ready to roll out our duties once more for the year after what has been a very busy pre-season organising everything.”
Western NSW Football Operations and Development Manager Andrew Fearnley hinted that even though their competition does not commence till May 4th, early signs have been positive on the player front.
“We still have a bit more time in getting new registrations for the season so we are encouraging this but our main target has been attracting the 6 to 9 year olds playing small sided football, so we are certainly concentrating on this space.”
-By Mark Stavroulakis