Football NSW MiniRoos Kick-Off Program Summer Grant Success
Normanhurst Eagles FC and Collegians SC have utilised the 2019 MiniRoos Kick-Off Program Summer Grant to strengthen their respective clubs both on and off the field.
Historically recognised as a family-friendly club, Collegians SC looked forward strategically as they recognised that the future of the club relied on the engagement and participation of their juniors.
MiniRoos Kick-Off was an important first step for the Bathurst based club.
Collegians SC Club President, Anthony Dunn sees the program as a great way for young players to come and try the sport before committing to a Winter season.
“Most pleasing was that we have equal participation in older kids between the ages of 7-9.
“This is evidence that older kids in the local community are looking for extra opportunities to continue their football year-round, and extend their knowledge and skills of the game.
“We have a number of senior players, Blair Windsor and Liam Smith, helping out at our MKO sessions and our many MKO players have decided to join us for the Winter program. Most importantly, kids are engaged, having fun and noticing their own improvement each week.
“We are so grateful for the support from Football NSW with the $500 Summer Grant.
“We used this money to subsidise the cost for players as an additional incentive to get players into the program. We have had such high demand for the program, we are planning on running another in the post-season.”
Meanwhile, during 2018 in Sydney’s north, Normanhurst Eagles FC embarked on a female football quest to encourage more girls to start and stay playing football.
In the first year, two teams were formed – a combined U8/U9 team and a combined U6/U7.
This grew to five teams in 2019 – one in each age group from U7 to U11.
Following the 2019 club football season, Normanhurst coordinated their first ever girls only MiniRoos Kick-Off program through the Football NSW MiniRoos Kick-Off Summer Grant.
The Program ran for five weeks before Christmas and five weeks post-Christmas.
The Program allowed numerous girls to experience the joys of playing football, and to learn skills that they will be able to take into Club Football for Normanhurst.
Nick Deverell, Normanhurst’s Girls Minis & Juniors Coordinator, gave recognition to the program brought by the Football NSW MiniRoos Kick-Off Summer Grant.
“Funds from the MiniRoos Kick-Off Summer Grant were put towards a number of promotional activities to encourage both participation in the MKO program, but also to promote Women’s and girls’ football in general.
“Flyers were dropped, information tables were set up in shopping centres and banners were put up around local streets. Local media got on board printing stories, and the Eagles were hosted on HHH Hornsby local radio.
“With the marketing made possible from the MiniRoos Kick-Off Summer Grant backed up by the practical application of the MKO program, the result is that at time of writing, Normanhurst Eagles are readying team submissions for three U6 teams, an U7 team, two teams in each of U8s and U9s and one each in U10,U11 and U12”.
“For the second year running, Normanhurst Eagles FC have doubled the number of girls’ minis teams. They have also added an extra women’s team off the back of all the interest.
“At the 2020 team allocations, the girls and their parents covered over half the oval.”
For more information on how to join the MiniRoos Kick-Off experience visit https://www.playfootball.com.au/miniroos/about-kickoff or contact cameronw@footballnsw.com.au
