Premier’s Sports Challenge a sweet success in Junee
The annual Premier’s Sports Challenge held at Junee High School took shape on Tuesday 24th of October as participants from Temora, Junee, Cootamundra and Young High Schools come together to participate in three sporting sessions supported by Tennis, Cricket, Softball, Netball and Football.
In what was a great turnout, over 100 participants with around 70 students took part in learning how to become a Grassroots Football coach.
The students learnt the basic structure of a grassroots session with a warm up game, tag game, relay races, middle game and end game all focusing on the key fundamentals of football known as striking the ball, controlling the ball, running with the ball and 1 vs 1 scenarios.
The most important part of this learning experience as a coach for young players is to be organised and ensure the area is safe whilst always giving supportive encouragement and feedback. Another key aspect focused on was EDE known as Explanation, Demonstration and Evaluation of a coaches Instructions.
The groups were shown various practices that could be put on in each of the 5 areas of a training session.
Students were then placed into groups to discuss ideas and practices they could put into each part of their training sessions. Each group and individual had the chance to become the head coach and put their ideas forward.
There was some great ideas and great coaches throughout the day and as Football NSW Coach Education Oscar Gonzalez explained, he hoped that this would in turn generate future coaches for these regional areas.
“Hopefully at the back of this we see more participants go on to learn further about coaching.
“Coaching is a very rewarding role and a way to give back to the sporting community.
“Congratulations to all involved throughout the day, hopefully we have some superstar coaches within this group later down the track.”
Football Wagga’s Coaching and Development Manager Liam Dedini was impressed with what he saw at Junee High School.
“The Premier’s Sports Challenge went off really well and there were some great kids. I am looking forward to seeing how they progress and in discussion with the school to see what events we can arrange to help the students practice their newly acquired skill set.”
Gonzalez further added that he had faith that Dedini would provide the best experience for the students.
“Liam assisted Andrew Fearnley last year in a Premier’s Sports Challenge event in Western NSW to see how the day should be conducted. He also attended a weekend workshop for presenters from NSW to discuss and practice the latest methods in teaching and facilitating.
“Football Wagga Wagga has invested in sound practices and as a consequence has experienced some strong growth in numbers over the past few years and Liam is going to need all the help he can get to service the growing number of young players.”
