Matilda’s goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri will be at the Victorian Small-Sided Games launch at the Darebin International Sports Centre on Saturday, in her role as official ambassador.
Barbieri will be on hand to help with the roll out of the Football Federation Australia designed SSG, and was excited about the impact the concept could have on the world game in this country.
“Small-Sided Games make the game of football a better experience for children,” Barbieri said.
“Players get more touches on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play and they learn to understand the importance of team mates and playing and working together.”
Barbieri added that Small-Sided Games are commonplace in many of the top football nations, and comprise football games played with fewer players competing on a smaller field.
“It encourages a fun match which allows children to have more touches of the ball and to be more involved in the game,” Barbieri said.
FFA CEO, Ben Buckley, said that Small-Sided Games are an integral component of the first ever National Football Development Plan, released in November last year, which aims to make Australia a world leader in the world game.
"We're introducing the game played on the street to the football fields around the country, starting this winter season," Buckley said.
"Children play with each other in the streets or in the backyard in small groups naturally, and Small-Sided Games replicates that natural style of play, and the fun of playing, while also introducing them to the skills, techniques and tactics of football."
The introduction of Small-Sided Games around Australia will be phased in over three years, with 80,000 children around Australia already playing the new format in 2008.
The Victorian launch will run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at DISC, 281 Darebin Road, Thornbury on Saturday, April 12.
To arrange for an ambassador to visit your local association, or to receive a handbook, parent guide, posters or DVD about Small-Sided Games, simply e-mail communityfootball@footballaustralia.com.au.
More information regarding Small-Sided Games is available from the Community section of the Football Federation Australia Website (www.footballaustralia.com.au).
“Small-Sided Games make the game of football a better experience for children,” Barbieri said.
“Players get more touches on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play and they learn to understand the importance of team mates and playing and working together.”
Barbieri added that Small-Sided Games are commonplace in many of the top football nations, and comprise football games played with fewer players competing on a smaller field.
“It encourages a fun match which allows children to have more touches of the ball and to be more involved in the game,” Barbieri said.
FFA CEO, Ben Buckley, said that Small-Sided Games are an integral component of the first ever National Football Development Plan, released in November last year, which aims to make Australia a world leader in the world game.
"We're introducing the game played on the street to the football fields around the country, starting this winter season," Buckley said.
"Children play with each other in the streets or in the backyard in small groups naturally, and Small-Sided Games replicates that natural style of play, and the fun of playing, while also introducing them to the skills, techniques and tactics of football."
The introduction of Small-Sided Games around Australia will be phased in over three years, with 80,000 children around Australia already playing the new format in 2008.
The Victorian launch will run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm at DISC, 281 Darebin Road, Thornbury on Saturday, April 12.
To arrange for an ambassador to visit your local association, or to receive a handbook, parent guide, posters or DVD about Small-Sided Games, simply e-mail communityfootball@footballaustralia.com.au.
More information regarding Small-Sided Games is available from the Community section of the Football Federation Australia Website (www.footballaustralia.com.au).
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