Juniors

In 2007 Football Stanthorpe (Soccer) introduced the small sided games concept to the district and was one of the first if not the first in Australia to adopt this method of player development. In 2008 FFA rolled out a nation wide program that is now in its second year, and has been adopted Australia wide. Small Sided Games are played and endorsed throughout; England, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea, USA, Capital Football, Football Northern Territory and Ku-ring-gai DSA to name a few. The demonstrated benefits of SSG’s over the 11 v 11 game, based on observational research of existing successful SSG models can be seen by, far more repeated touches of the ball by all players, more touches throughout all areas of the pitch, more passes attempted and in a forward direction, more attacking 1v1s, final third and penalty area entries, repeated decision making experience, and the ball is in play far more. Apart from the technical development the personal development of players shines through by players being subjected to, repeated experience of basic tactical situations, active participation which directly related to increased fitness and enjoyment, no longer do you see player doodling in the dirt, and all players gain more experience in all phases of the game.

Small sided games focus on development of player as opposed to chasing silver ware which in fact can become an obsession for parents. During the game there is less hiding by less developed players or dominant player hogging the ball. Every child has to participate in all facets of the game, attack and defense. The emphasis is on PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Better success rate leads to improved quality of play, self esteem and player retention, the game is easier to understand and players experience freedom of expression because there are no positions in early stages, this method of development revolves around time on the ball, the more touches a player has the better player he will inevitably become, all this with less perceived stress on the player

Some interesting statistics that are evolving in the early stages of this new and exiting pathway are that, 80% of children believed that they touched the ball more often in the small-sided game, there is less pressure from coaches and parents, and children are enjoying the progressive and sequential game formats. Small Sided Games studies of young football players in England, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA provided the following information between 4 v 4, 7 v 7 & 11 v 11; Players touch ball five times more in 4 v4, 50 % more in 7 v 7 than in 11 v 11. Players attempted three times more 1 v 1’s in 4 v 4, two times more 1 v 1’s in 7 v 7 than in 11 v 11. Goals scored on average every 1.5 mins. in 4 v 4, 3.6 mins. in 7 v 7 & 8 mins in 11 v 11. Technical skills performed by a goalkeeper is between two & four times more in 7 v 7 than in 11 v 11. Ball is out of play 8% of the match in 4 v 4, 14% in 7 v 7 and 34% in 11 v 11

No longer do young players go home without having kicked the ball. Only too often in the past did players go home experiencing the unhappy feeling of not being involved. The concept was born in the South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina. These are countries where household names such as Pele, Maradona and Ronaldo have been born. There development began in the back streets of these countries where 4 or 5 players would spend time kicking the ball around. They developed into fine attacking players with exquisite ball skills that catapulted them to the top of the game. They were not playing for trophies, they just enjoyed playing with the ball and eventually the ball became a part of them. Today if you watch the top leagues from the Northern Hemisphere you will witness exiting attacking play which is lacking in the Australian team, but will change as this new development pathway begins to enter that level.

Junior Football Sign on

Saturday 13^th March & 20^th March 2010

9:00am - 12:00 noon

at the

C.F. White Oval Stanthorpe

FEES: Early Bird (If paid before 17^th April 2010)

Under 6’s, 7’s, 8’s: $100.00 per child

9’s, 10’s, Junior Colts: $120.00 per child

FEES: (If paid on 17^th April 2010*)

Under 6’s, 7’s, 8’s: $110.00 per child

9’s, 10’s, Junior Colts: $130.00 per child

*If you sign up on the 17^th April, You will not be permitted to play on that day.

NOTE: 4 year old children are WELCOME to be signed on but can’t commence playing till they turn 5 years.