ALDI MiniRoos 'Kick-Off' is geared for boys and girls aged between four and nine and is the most attended introductory program in Australian sport.

The broader MiniRoos format, which includes children up to the age of 11, was launched nationally in 2015 and is expected to hit 250,000 players within two years. 

Football Federation Australia (FFA) predicts steady growth off the back of the Socceroos (2018) and Matildas (2019) World Cup appearances.

Kick-Off is co-ordinated by local clubs and associations. The program runs all year, includes short game-based sessions and feeds into regular ALDI MiniRoos football.

FFA’s Head of Community, Football Development and Women’s Football, Emma Highwood, said football was increasingly the choice of parents with young children because it was fun, safe, accessible and genuinely inclusive. 

“Everyone is welcome in football regardless of their background, gender or ability – and parents know that,” Highwood.

“We’re delighted that another 10,000 kids have joined the ALDI MiniRoos Kick-Off program so far this year. What is even more pleasing is that 30 per cent of the new players are girls.

“Football has been a trailblazer for women’s sport in Australia and we are seeing the impact of this with the number of girls taking up the game. And of course having the Socceroos and Matildas competing in World Cups is also inspiring kids to play football."

PHOTO: ALDI MiniRoos