Eastern Suburbs Football Association set to make football more affordable

The Eastern Suburbs Football Association (ESFA) is committed to making the game more affordable and accessible to all in the region ahead of the new season.

The ESFA has committed to reducing fees by up to $30 per player to help battle the rising costs of player participation.

“This is an area which we know sometimes causes players to leave the game,” Eastern Suburbs Football Association Communications Officer Caroline Oakes-Ash said.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for clubs to offer more attractive prices to see if we can keep our up-and-coming players on the park.”

The ESFA was home to over 8,400 players who played amongst the association’s 25 clubs in 2018 – a number ESFA is keen to grow this season, particularly in the women’s game.

“With the current campaign for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, we are currently campaigning among our clubs to promote girls football,” Oakes-Ash said.

“We hope to have some come and try days organised prior to the season for those girls who are unsure about playing to help show them that football really is a game for all.”

With significant growth already experienced in this area, the ESFA has hopes of adding an under-21s competition to the association’s offerings in the coming years, as the youngsters who have already taken up the sport continue to rise through the ranks.

Player development has been an area which the ESFA has excelled in recently, as seen at the 2018 Football New South Wales Champions of Champions competition.

The ESFA had three teams qualify for the tournament with Coogee’s all age men’s team, Dunbar’s all age women’s team and Dunbar’s over-35 men’s team, all being crowned 2018 champions.

The feat ensured the ESFA was the only association in the state to leave the tournament with three crowns, speaking volumes for the quality of competition within the association.

Of course, it’s not all about winning and no matter a player’s age or ability, there is sure to be a club, a team and a competition perfectly suited for you.

For more information about the ESFA and its clubs, head to: www.esfa.com.au or check out the club listings below.