Marco Caputo: Why kids should start with football

Former Wallaby and Brumbies star Marco Caputo says, "Football is a great game to teach children their bio mechanical skills."

He should know. He played many sports, including football in his junior career before excelling at Rugby. And didn't he just. He played for the Brumbies before heading to England and France for more club Rugby. The Canberran did well!

Marco and I chatted while his son Joe kicked around us, and his daughter Sophia was playing out a 0-0 draw.

Captuo has two children, Sophia and Joseph. Both play at Majura Soccer club.

“Sure I’d love them to be a Matilda or Socceroo, but really as long as they are out playing with other kids having fun, that’s what important. People ask me if I want them to follow me into Rugby but I don’t mind, as long they are happy.”

“Football is a great way for any kid to start, no matter what sport you end up playing. It’s such a good game to get their bio mechanical skills developed. I think it’s important for kids to learn the discipline of turning up and training, and learning to work together.”

“Most of the big stars in Rugby like Johnny Wilkinson (England), and Joe Roff(former Brumby) were good footballers.”

Johnny Wilkinson: Started life as a footballer, and didn't his football skills pay off for the England Rugby team when he booted them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Caputo continued, “The Wallaby players always looked to the English Premier League, Serie A and La Liga. We were always trying to learn to get an edge from other top sportsmen.”

“The changes in Australian football over the last few years have been great. Little blokes, like my Joey, can now identify with a career path in football. After watching the Socceroos at the last World Cup they can identify with the Aussies playing in the top leagues in Europe. Tim Cahill at Everton, Mark Viduka now at Newcastle.

Aussie kids now see if they put their head down they could be one of these guys. It’s done such good things for the profile of the game and John O’Neill has had a lot to do with that. “

“Last night I was looking on YouTube at Ronaldinho and all his skills. The kids want to do the tricks and play at these huge stadiums. It’s great.”

And it was great to hear a champion of another code talking up football.

If sports are to succeed in Canberra we need more fans supporting more teams.

You can see the whole Marco Caputo interview at www.capitalfootball.com.au