Football Ambassador to your Canberra club? But not Fozzie!

You can get an Ambassador along to your club to promote and inform about Small Sided Games. See FFA Release below.

Great initiative, but just tickled me that the Andy Harper (Fox Sports) is in but Craig Foster (SBS) is not.

Foster has shouted up and down the country about the value and benefit of SSG's but he wasn't included. A mistake?

Full FFA release below.

FOOTBALL RETURNS TO THE STREETS

AMBASSADORS TO ADVANCE FOOTBALL'S QUIET REVOLUTION

The so-called quiet revolution in football in Australia has been boosted by the appointment of ambassadors comprised of former and current stars of the game who will help to introduce 'small sided games' to the several brigades of children aged 5-11 who play the round ball code.

"We're introducing the game played on the street to the football fields around the country starting this winter season," said Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley.

"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."

Buckley said that introduction of small sided games will be phased in over three years, with 80,000 children around Australia set to start in the new format in 2008.

"We are delighted that we have some fantastic ambassadors to assist us in implementing this program, led by former Qantas Socceroos captains, Paul Wade and Alex Tobin."

Other ambassadors include Hyundai A-League stars Lucas Pantelis, Travis Dodd (Adelaide United), Rodrigo Vargas (Melbourne Victory), Alex Wilkinson, Adam Kwasnik (Central Coast Mariners), Josh McCloughan, Matt McKay, Stuart McLaren (Queensland Roar) and former Socceroo Alistair Edwards, former Hyundai A-League player, Richie Alagich, and former NSL player and current FOX Sports football presenter Andy Harper.

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.

“Small sided games make the game of football a better experience for children,” said National Technical Director, Robert Baan.

“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.”

Baan 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 encouraging a fun match which allows children to have more touches of the ball and to be more involved in the game.

FFA is encouraging district associations to contact them to arrange for the ambassadors to visit their region.

In addition the FFA has produced a small sided games handbook, parent guide, posters and DVDs. These products and further information on getting an ambassador to visit associations can be obtained by e-mailing communityfootball@footballaustralia.com.au. More information is available at the www.footballaustralia.com.au

ENDS

For More Information: Stuart Hodge, FFA, 0416 103 205


QUICK FACTS

What are small sided games?

They are football games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field that encourage players to have more contact with the ball because fewer players are playing in a smaller playing area. Small sided games have a definite developmental impact on younger football players.

Why change to small sided games?

It makes the game of football a better experience for children.

§ More touches on the ball
§ More opportunities to make decisions
§ More actual play.

Players will be more active due to playing both attacking and defensive roles within a match and will understand the importance of team mates and playing and working together.

What are the benefits of small sided games?

A significant amount of research has been conducted in countries where small side games are popular, which highlights the following benefits:

§ More touches of the ball by all players throughout all areas of the pitch
§ More shots on goal
§ More efficient use of facilities, given there can be multiple games on one standard size field
§ Repeated decision-making experience
§ The ball is in play far more often
§ The emphasis is on player development rather than winning or losing
§ Better success rate leads to improved quality of play, self-esteem and player retention
§ The game is easier to understand
§ Freedom of expression – no positions in early stages
§ Less perceived stress on the players
§ Less perceived pressure from coaches and parents
§ Parents more likely to volunteer for SSG game leader roles
§ Children enjoy the progressive and sequential game formats.

Who else has small sided games?

Small sided games are played and endorsed throughout Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA, to name a few.

Why are results not kept below the age of 10?

The emphasis of small sided games is on participation and enjoyment, and an associated removal of the current emphasis on the importance of winning.

Children are much more likely to enjoy their football playing experience, will be keen to play more often and are less likely to drop out of the game. Clubs, coaches, team supervisors and parents play the most important role in creating the right environment for small sided games and need to stress and adhere to the following playing conditions:

§ Under 6 – 10: No official recording of tables, results, finals and statistics. Games focus on participation, enjoyment and skill development.

§ Under 11 and 12: Recording of tables, results, finals and statistics is optional. Games focus on participation, enjoyment and skill development.

AMBASSADOR PROFILES

Alex Tobin – Unquestionably one of Australia’s most celebrated footballers, Alex Tobin is the most capped Socceroo of all time and a former captain. Domestically, Alex had an amazing 21 seasons at the top level of football in Australia where he amassed an incredible 522 appearances – a record that is not likely to be matched by any athlete in any competitive sport in Australia. Alex has called the Central Coast home since linking with the Mariners ahead of the first season of the Hyundai A-League.

Paul Wade – One of Australia’s most passionate workers in developing young football players, Paul Wade is a legend of the Qantas Socceroos having captained his country and playing over 100 matches in the green and gold including two World Cup campaigns. Paul has made an enormous contribution to domestic football having played over 345 games in the NSL and winning two championships.

Richie Alagich – Richie Alagich recently retired after 15 years of professional football that began back in West Adelaide. An uncompromising right-back, Richie proved his longevity when he was named Adelaide United’s inaugural player’s player of the year and went on to be an integral part of the Reds’ 2006 Premiership season.

Travis Dodd – The Adelaide local has been one of the Reds’ stars since joining the club for the inaugural Hyundai A-League season. Travis’ form for United saw him picked to represent the Qantas Socceroos in a 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait where he scored a goal on debut.

Alistair Edwards – Alistair Edwards was a key contributor to the National Football Development Plan with the FFA drawing on his vast experience. Alistair played 19 full internationals for Australia over a six-year period commencing in 1991. He also had an extensive domestic career in Australia, England and Malaysia before finishing his career in 2002 after a four-year stint in his home city with Perth Glory. Alistair is a former coach of the Young Matildas and was the coach of the Western Waves for the team’s debut season in the Women’s National Soccer League.

Andy Harper – Andy Harper has impressive credentials to be an ambassador for Small Sided Games, having been part of the development review that has led to their introduction. Andy is a former NSL player, author and now high profile media commentator. He currently presents on FOX Sports on the Hyundai A-League and Qantas Socceroos matches. Andy played a total of 321 games for seven clubs in the NSL, and he is regarded by many as the best Australian player to not play for the national team.

Adam Kwasnik – One of the Hyundai A-League’s most potent attacking weapons, Adam Kwasnik was instrumental in the Mariners run to the 2008 Grand Final. After leading Central Coast with seven goals in 2006-07 he followed up with another outstanding season scoring six as the Mariners were crowned Premiers.

Josh McCloughan – A former captain of the Queensland Roar, Josh McCloughan was a key member of the backline that made it all the way to the Preliminary Final in the Hyundai A-League 2008 Finals Series. Josh has spent his entire professional career in Queensland having played for Palm Beach, Gold Coast and Brisbane Strikers before joining the Roar for their inaugural season.

Matt McKay – Brisbane born and bred, Matt is both a passionate Queenslander and an exciting and highly skilled midfielder for the Queensland Roar, having attended the AIS and also played for the Brisbane Strikers and Incheon United in Korea. He represented Australia in the Under 20 World Youth Cup in the UAE in 2003 and has also had one Qantas Socceroos cap.

Stuart McLaren – Scottish-born Stuart McLaren has a keen interest in football development having been a former coach/player of Brisbane strikers in the NSL. Stuart has extensive experience in football having played abroad in Scotland, Hong Kong, Malaysia en route to his current place at Queensland Roar.

Lucas Pantelis – One of the most exciting players in the Hyundai A-League 2007-08 season Lucas Pantelis grabbed the headlines scoring six goals from 20 matches to see him called up to the Qantas Socceroos training squad. Pantelis has followed the traditional pathway towards the senior national team having represented Australia at under 17, under 20 and under 23 level including the under 17s World Championship in 1999 where Australia made the final.

Rodrigo Vargas – After being plucked from the Victorian Premier League prior to the start of the Hyundai A-League 2006-07 season, Rodrigo Vargas made the centre back position his own en route to Melbourne’s Championship win. Rodrigo’s form was so impressive he has been included in all of Pim Verbeek’s Qantas Socceroos training camps.

Alex Wilkinson – Alex Wilkinson was handed the Central Coast captaincy armband ahead of the Mariners’ third Hyundai A-League campaign and led the team to the Premiership and the Grand Final. Ultra-consistent and ever-present, Alex was called up to the Qantas Socceroos squad that defeated Kuwait 2-0 at Aussie Stadium in a 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in August 2006.