Huge season ahead for The Hills
Hills Football Incorporated (HFI) has come a long way in a short time and as the association gears up for its third season under the Football NSW banner, things are looking to get even bigger in 2019.
A partnership with A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers, two new staff members focussing on the ALDI MiniRoos program and the first-ever full-time girls rep program in The Hills are just some of the headlines for the HFI heading into the new season.
HFI will continue to grow its ALDI MiniRoos Kick-Off program, with a focus on recruiting more between under-6 and under-9 levels.
The MiniRoos Kick-Off program is a fun, game-based program aimed at kids between four and nine years old, which helps to develop football skills as well as general motor skills.
The Football Federation Australia initiative has been well and truly embraced in The Hills, with General Manager Kurt Johnson delighted with the work his association and its clubs have put into junior recruitment.
“We have run many Kick-Off centres in the past two years and have the highest Kick-Off participation numbers in the state,” he said.
“The centres are run by both the association and our member clubs. The association is running centres within childcare centres and shopping centres. In 2019 we have 11 confirmed locations.
“Clubs are also running Kick-Off with the aim to have at least 7 clubs running them in 2019.”
Such has been the growth of participation numbers on the back of the program, HFI has made the decision to employ two new staff members to focus specifically on running the MiniRoos program.
“The growth of football in The Hills has triggered the new staff. HFI is investing in growing junior numbers in line with the growth corridor of the north-west Sydney region.
“HFI and Western Sydney Wanderers have joined forces to deliver school-based football programs as well. These include free clinics, expo days and extended training opportunities.”
Perhaps the biggest new feature for the HFI is the implementation of its full-time girls rep program.
The program will start with the Girls Skill Acquisition Program (SAP) and continue through the under-10s, under-11s, under-12s and under-13s, before moving into Girls Conference Leagues in the under-14 to under-17 age groups.
“Former New Zealand international Aroon Clansey alongside Alex Tobin are managing the program with the eventual goal of creating the next crop of Matildas,” Johnson said.
Players interested in taking up football in The Hills should head to the Hills Football Incorporated website to learn more about their local clubs and the programs being offered in 2019 at: www.hillsfootball.com.au or check out the club listing below.
