Kids and adults are flocking to Wauchope Soccer Club’s summer season.
Club officials expected 60 youngsters might turn up for the games on Thursday evenings at Fairmont Gardens, and in the end, they attracted 250.
The club’s junior development co-ordinator, Ben White says it’s great news for everyone.
“We introduced five-a-side and it’s quicker than we normally have football. It’s meant to develop speed, footwork, ball control and technique.
“Also it keeps the kids fit in the off-season. More importantly, it brings more people into the football family,” he said.
The summer scheme started last month and runs for 11 weeks, with semi-finals and finals.
Ben hopes it will boost the winter sport, and he says the summer game is a lot of fun.
“It’s not over-serious. They can play football no matter what level they’re at.”
He says the good thing is that kids get involved not just as players but as referees, coaches and volunteers for the club.
Children come from all over, including Port Macquarie, Camden Haven and Kendall.
Lots of dads play as well, in the seniors, straight after the kids, and it’s so popular that Ben is hoping they’ll attract 500 next year.
Letitia Fitzpatrick
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
Worked as a journalist and assistant producer for BBC news and current affairs in the UK, Ulster Television, Q Radio and the Irish News in Northern Ireland. Moved to Australia and joined Fairfax Media in 2016. Won a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award in 2018 for reporting the Pappinbarra bushfires and the subsequent Rotary appeal which raised $30,000.
