Speaking at an event hosted by Dunbar Rovers FC last Friday, Postecoglou highlighted cost, facilities and a lack of quality coaches as barriers to young people playing football.

With cost of playing the beautiful game rising, Dunbar Rovers introduced a 'fee free' football program two years ago to break down financial barriers and provide opportunities to all members of the community.

The program is funded by sponsors and the business community, and Postecoglou who was the main guest at last week's fundraiser, said the club should be commended for its youth football initiative.

“One thing I’m passionate about is making sure that every boy and girl that wants to play the game gets an opportunity,” he said speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo.

“Sometimes you hear stories that the affordability of the game is too much for some kids

“Dunbar Rovers is a club that is actually providing the experience and the opportunity to play the game and realise those dreams without kids having to pay a fee, so it’s fantastic concept.

“It should be supported and should be encouraged and I’m happy to be here today."

The Socceroos boss pinpointed other factors besides the financial burden that are holding the game back.

“Facilities is another, we don’t have enough football pitches," Postecoglou said. "Coaching is another we don’t have enough quality coaching.

"If we can provide those three things for kids the game will continue to grow, there is no doubt about that, the game is growing just because of the beauty of itself.

“But we don’t want kids walking away from the game because they don’t have a club to play for and they don’t have a coach to help them.

"They are the three things that are very important in every football community and they are the three things we need to focus on now.

“That is the biggest challenge, we don’t want to miss any big talents because they don’t have somewhere to play and someone to identify them.”

Some clubs in NSW charge fees of up to $2400 a year, but Dunbar Rovers have found another way to exist and be successful. Their U14’s,15s,16s and 18’s are all currently top of their tables in the NPL 2 Division.

Postecoglou feels that the Rovers story could prompt some clubs in the future to follow in their footsteps.

“Hopefully. Other people might do it differently,” he said.

“If the basic idea, the basic premise is about opportunity for as many kids as possible and quality facilities and quality coaching I think they will look at something like this.

“I’ve got no doubt that other clubs will look to similar models.”