Football Saints play in their masses
St Christopher’s FC, better known as Saints FC are once again introducing the masses to football, continuing their fantastic work of previous years with their introduction to football program for 3 – 5 year olds.
The Bankstown District Football Association club has 60 players between the ages of 3 – 5 years old signed up for their mid-season skills and games program under the FFA’s AIA Vitality MiniRoos Kick Off banner.
Saints FC came on board with the MiniRoos Kick Off program in 2016 after 9 years managing their own program in order to see their program evolve, as Mark Ruhnau stated to Football NSW.
“It was seen as the next stage in evolution of our program for us to get the additional administration, coaching and event participation support that the MiniRoos kick off program provides”.
Mark, along with his board at Saints FC have always been big advocates of player and child development with current board member Kim Pryde’s son being part of the first sub-junior program ran by the club 10 years ago. Mark reflected on the importance of the program with MiniRoos Development Officer Ed Ferguson saying,
“Nothing could be more important than facilitating the acquiring of these basic skills not just for football but for their daily lives, just like riding a bike once learned they are never forgotten”.
Saints FC home, Marco Reserve, is alive every Saturday morning as they welcome home and away teams onto the beautifully kept field that most NPL clubs would be proud of. Mark and members of Saints FC hold their sub-junior MiniRoos Kick Off program in high regard, stating its importance for their club and community,
“It (AIA Vitality MiniRoos Kick Off program) provides the opportunity for them (children & parents) to be introduced to a club culture, skills development, senior role models and team sport in a structured way inside an established and supportive club environment. It is hoped that through these programs they develop a passion for football and provide the club with a continuing stream of junior players, club volunteers and supporters for the future and one day represent the club at the highest level”.
St Christopher FC’s great work as a club for the community is down to the passion and dedication from its members, volunteers and administrators, of which Mark and Football NSW would like to thank,
“None of this would be possible without the support of our committee, volunteers and of course the parents.
Those in our club, like myself, have a deep love of football and have gained so much from football that giving back to the sport in this small way is in gratitude for all it has given us”.
Football NSW are always looking at extending our current playing opportunities and would be interested to hear from any clubs and parents that would be interested in providing young children the chance to be a part of not only a football program, but a grassroots football club.
Please contact Ed Ferguson, AIA Vitality MiniRoos Development Officer on edwardf@footballnsw.com.au or via telephone on 02 8814 4443
