MINIROOS

MiniRoos Club Football

2021 saw over 82,000 children under the age of 12 participate in MiniRoos Club Football across NSW. Thanks to the countless administrators, coaches, referees, game leaders, players and various volunteers, our associations were able to complete most of their Winter Competitions, prior to stayat-home orders from NSW Government. Registering to play football improves the physical, psychological, social & cognitive development of our players. MiniRoos Club Football is a modified smallsided version of the game we all know and love. The rules are adapted for each age group to offer the best opportunity to develop, whilst also keeping it fun, safe, and inclusive. These rules include smaller teams, fields, and goals, as well as rule changes such as no corners, and defending teams waiting at the halfway line when the team in possession is taking a goal kick. MiniRoos Club Football is the game of choice for Australia’s largest network of grassroots football clubs, who provide opportunities to players of all abilities to play small-sided games at the weekend. Of these children, almost 29,000 were female (35%), an increase of 11% in female participation compared to the 2020 season. This indicates a strong upward trend for female participation, after also witnessing a 24% increase from 20192020. This is a testament to the continuous promotion and support for female football across the football landscape despite the barriers faced as a result of the pandemic.

Active Kids Voucher Development Programs After a successful pilot, Football NSW has continued to deliver our Development Programs utilising the NSW Government’s Active Kids Voucher Scheme. The scheme provides 2 x $100 vouchers for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and recreation costs each year. These vouchers make participating in sport more accessible, and our programs have been designed to make participation even easier by delivering them on school facilities.

The MiniRoos Kick-Off After School program had a strong start to the year, commencing with programs in our pilot locations, and adding another school to the roster for some before-school sessions. The program is aimed at primary schools using the new MiniRoos Kick-Off Guide, designed using the GAMESOLOGY coaching method to give more game time to young players. All registered players receive a MiniRoos KickOff pack that includes a backpack, lunchbox, and ball to ensure that when they leave training, they can continue enjoying the game wherever they are.

MiniRoos Settlement Program Football NSW has once again been successful in obtaining the MiniRoos Settlement Program grant funding thanks to Football Australia. The program is designed to offer the MiniRoos Kick-Off product to Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities by connecting them to their local club. This connection will also include upskilling members of the community centres or clubs to facilitate the sessions, and available subsidies to transition into registered players for the 2022 Winter Football Season.

Inflatable Activations

The Community Inflatable Activations were once again a very popular product, especially in the later months of 2021. Football NSW shared their inflatable dart board, shooting target and inflatable field at end of year presentations, come and try days, gala days, and even FFA Cup matches and the Socceroos’ World Cup Qualifier against Saudi Arabia.