Words: Michael Flynn

Several Brisbane City players are staying sharp in the PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland off-season by playing Summer 6's, including captain Mat Biggins.

Spencer Park, a former National Soccer League venue and the home of Brisbane City, is one of several venues across Queensland delivering the social football format this year.

Biggins has been joined by teammates Cameron Tew, Alistair Pase, Luca Jannese and Chris Toovey as well as a mix of Youth Men’s and Under 18’s players in the competition hosted by City.

“It’s a good way to have a bit of fun and keep fit,” Biggins said of Summer 6's.

“A lot of the senior players are good friends, so we try to catch-up every couple of weeks and this is another great way to stay in touch.”

He explained that City head coach Glen Volker was the catalyst for his participation in Summer 6’s at Spencer Park this year, adding that Volker had also taken the field for the team.

“Glen was in goal for most of the game and came out for a couple of minutes until he was too tired and went back in goal, but we won’t talk too much about that,” Biggins joked.

City President Sandra Di Francesco said while the emphasis was on providing a social football environment for the community, the club and registered players also stand to benefit through the regular season.

“The idea of Summer 6's is to promote the club to the wider community and continue the association of our players and kids with the club in the off-season,” she explained.

“The funds that we raise go back into the club and the players themselves are the ones that will ultimately benefit the most from that.”

"Brisbane City is a club that is advancing and we see this as another way we can strengthen our operations so that we can provide further value to our community and members in future."

The club reported that over 800 people were on hand for last Friday night’s Summer 6’s competition, with the clubhouse restaurant doing a bumper trade in their traditional Italian fare of pizza and ribs.

Biggins said the culinary experience was an added bonus to playing Summer 6’s at Spencer Park.

“The food is great and I really encourage people to come on down and have a look,” he concluded.

Summer 6’s is a Football Queensland approved programme that provides a fun, fast, social format of the game during the off-season. It involves six players on a smaller, modified pitch and is open to players of all skill levels.

For more information please visit the Summer 6’s website.