Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Sydney: Football Federation Australia will celebrate a Grassroots Football Month in conjunction with the AFC Grassroots Year 2013.
AFC has designated this year as the AFC Grassroots Year, aptly themed ‘Let’s Play!’, and is encouraging Member Associations to organise activities to promote and emphasise that football is accessible and socially beneficial to everyone and that a strong foundation will allow players to progress to the elite level.
“The anticipated grassroots football activity will be held nationally from March 17 to April 17,” the federation’s National Participation Manager Vito Basile told the AFC.
“An FFA initiative facilitated by FFA’s Member Federations, Associations, Zones and Clubs, the Grassroots Football Month is designed to educate the community of the fundamental skills to coach grassroots footballers between the ages of four and 11 and to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the associated game rules.
“The Grassroots Football Month is the launch of grassroots coach education and consists of coaching courses being held nation-wide throughout the four-week period mentioned above.
“Additionally, ‘Game Leader’ and ‘Instructor Referee’ courses will also be conducted to help educate the football community on the Laws of the Game for Small Sided Football (FFA’s introductory grassroots format).
“All grassroots courses during Grassroots Football Month are free of charge and anyone is welcome to attend a course, regardless of their football knowledge.
“Furthermore, children from the age of four to 11 will be provided opportunities to experience and play football in a gala-day-style event or through various activities facilitated by FFA’s Member Federations.
“The football gala days are collaboratively organised with the assistance of Member Federations, Associations, Zones and Clubs.”
Basile has explained why the Grassroots Football Month will be held before the season commencement.
“I am aware that the AFC is promoting 2013 as ‘Grassroots Football Year’, with a dedicated ‘Grassroots Day’ in May. Due to the nature of the Australian community football calendar season, unfortunately, the FFA can only facilitate Grassroots Football Month prior to the commencement of the season, rather than during the season.
“It is crucial that all coaches, parents, extended family members and friends from any affiliated FFA club are educated prior to the season start.”
Photo: FFA