YOUNG footballers have been given another opportunity to play the game they love with the introduction of the first Golden Rivers Football Netball League under-12 competition.
The unofficial Saturday morning competition has received the backing of all six of the league’s clubs, who will all field a team.
Players will compete in games with seven-minute quarters, wearing wrist bands that indicate which zone of the field they start in, forward, midfield or back line.
The players will have a chance to play in each zone, being encouraged by a coach on the sideline or one coaching from on the field.
The new mixed-team “mini-league” has been introduced as a way to bridge the gap between Auskick programs and the step up to junior football.
Central Rivers leagues manager Jessie Chester said the competition was “history in the making”.
“This is the first ever non-official under-12 mini-league in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League,” she said.
“It’s great to be bridging the gap and providing pathways for kids to play football.
“The games include modified rules, are played on modified grounds and have zones for players to play in.
“It’s been great to see all six clubs embrace the concept.”
Chester said the unofficial nature of the competition made it easier to introduce children to the step up.
“Children often move out of Auskick around the ages of eight and 10,” she said.
“For some of those kids, having to go from Auskick to an under-14.5s can be a big jump.
“Being able to provide this pathway between those two things for those kids who may not be confident enough to go into the under-14s is a great opportunity.
“With it being an unofficial competition, it offers that bit more flexibility.
“Ideally, you’d want to have a full team of nine out there, but it if clubs have less or more, it’s as simple as a conversation between the two clubs on the morning.
“At the end of the day, our main goal is to have children playing football.”
Chester said the competition was the perfect introduction to football for young families.
“It gives kids a bit more of a sense of belonging at their club,” she said.
“It’s also great for parents to gain an insight into how a club operates, who can then extend their network, and does a lot to build that sense of community.
“It should make a difference in the number of junior players we see taking on the sport in the future.”
