Dee Why FC buzzing over AIA Vitality MiniRoos Kick Off Program

The AIA Vitality MiniRoos Kick Off Program has been seen as an instant hit at Manly Warringah Football Association side Dee Why FC this season.

Dee Why FC’s Bojan Nikic has seen the program go from strength to strength which has seen ten new players enrolled – the club known also as being the only team running the program in the Manly Warringah Football Association region.

Asked why the club took up the program at Dee Why FC Nikic stated to Football NSW.

“We saw the AIA Vitality MiniRoos Kick Off program as a great way to bring in the smaller kids and allow them to have fun and learn basic skills.

“Being the only Kick Off Centre in our area is something we are extremely proud of and Football NSW have been great in helping us establish the program. 

“We have been working extremely hard at Dee Why FC to grow our junior program with the crop of talented coaches we currently have.

“Currently we provide free skills clinics to all Dee Why FC Sub-Juniors, however being the 70th year anniversary of our club we also wanted to offer a program to younger kids at affordable prices.

“We would love to see our AIA Vitality MiniRoos Kick Off kids develop a love of the game and develop as footballers through our older club teams – who knows maybe represent Dee Why FC in the Premier League.”

Developing gross motor skills for youngsters aged 4-5 years old is also something this program plays a vital role in which Nikic agreed with.

“Developing gross motor skills is extremely important for 4-5 year olds.

“It gives them the strong basis for pursuing various sports especially football where coordination, agility, explosiveness, turns and speed are of crucial importance.

“These motor skills are the key to technical development of young players, so participating in activities which develop gross motor skills from the young age is highly beneficial.”

Coaching young developing players is something Nikic has thoroughly enjoyed during his time in Australia but being able to see his young chargers enjoy their time with the round ball game is one of the greatest satisfactions for the upcoming coach.

“Coaching young players is something that I am extremely passionate about.

“Having lived both in Australia and in Europe I truly believe that we can develop world class players regularly, however we just need to take the right approach where we place more emphasis on the individual rather than the team during development years.

“It all starts from the grassroots and if the right approach is adopted from the young age I don’t see a reason why we in Australia wouldn’t be able to develop a new Messi or Ronaldo.

“Seeing my players progress and most importantly play football with high technical ability, individuality and creativity is something that makes me very happy and I believe that this approach will give them the best chance to do something with their football long term."