FNSW Regional Roadshow hits Riverina

The 2016 Football NSW Regional Roadshow series kicked off earlier this week as the Riverina Branch was hit with football fever.

Football NSW Community Coach Education Manager Oscar Gonzalez and MiniRoos Game Development Officer Ed Ferguson set off late last Sunday in time for a series of school visits in Albury on Monday morning.

Lavington Public School were the first of many school visits organised throughout the week.

Lavington sits one town over from Albury and the Football NSW staff members were met by passionate football coach and champion within the Albury-Wodonga region Fiona Smith.

Throughout the morning, a total of 100 students between Years 1 to 6 from Lavington Public School ran amok on the school grounds with all students hooked by the fun games on offer, taking their learning outside the class room with the focus on teamwork and decision making present in all exercises.

In what were touching scenes, a number of the students penned together their thoughts on what was a fantastic day enjoyed by all.

“I really enjoyed the football clinic. I was with Ed and we played a game called Sharky”, said Carl.

“I liked my team mates, it was cool to have them visit our school.

“I met Oscar and Ed, it was nice of them to give us a prize,” stated an excited young Molly.”

After a morning at Lavington Public School, the roadshow moved onto The Scots College Albury along with a sharp rise in the day’s temperature, hitting 37 degrees at 1pm.

With the weather too hot for outdoor activity, the Football NSW Coaches and Scots College Head of Sports Dave Smith moved their session inside to the state of the art indoor, air conditioned multi-purpose hall.

With the help of Year 11 Sports students from The Scots College a total of 95 Year 3 to 6 students were engaged in fun football exercises and games.

Dave Smith’s Year 11 students were tasked throughout the afternoon to create, engage and deliver activates and games to teach their younger counterparts the key skills involved in football with guidance from both Football NSW Coaches.

Day 1 of the Riverina Roadshow finished off with a MiniRoos engagement with all clubs fielding MiniRoos teams with the Albury-Wodonga FA and a Coach Education workshop by Oscar Gonzalez focused for players 13 years and over.

A special thanks go to Albury-Wodonga FA volunteers, coaches and club members who made the evening a success and players from AWFA who volunteered their time as guinea pigs in the MiniRoos activation and Coach Education workshop.