‘The growth this season in entry level participants is encouraging and further opportunity lies ahead for our game in this Region,’ Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland said. ‘With the qualification of the Socceroos for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and Australia hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, the spotlight will well and truly be on the world game for the next two years and we anticipate that this will generate increased interest in participation not only by juniors but players of all ages.’

‘Continued support from our major partner in Junior Football, the Newcastle Permanent Building Society has allowed us to keep entry level registration costs stable and provide all players in this age group with a free ball and shin pads,’ David Eland said. ‘Cost savings such as these are important when families face increasing costs of living but value the importance of their children leading active and healthy lifestyles through sport.’

Just as families face increasing cost pressures, so to do football clubs across Northern NSW with the Newcastle Permanent also assisting clubs to remain viable and provide a vehicle for young players to participate in football.

‘The Newcastle Permanent Introducer Program was launched across all our clubs in Northern NSW this month, including those here on the North Coast. It allows clubs to utilise their extensive network of volunteers, players and families to access financial support for the club by referring business to The Newcastle Permanent and simply mentioning the clubs name. This helps secure the financial wellbeing of our junior clubs in doing so maintain a vibrant, active football community here on North Coast and throughout Northern NSW,’ David Eland concluded.

Port FC’s the Johnsons have football running rich through their family with Dad Craig in the position of Vice President with the club.

Five year old Rory is in his second year of playing in the Under 6 competition and thrives on the football field with a passionate attitude.

Older brother Ryan has played football since he was four years old and at 14, he now plays not only for Port FC, but also for Football Mid North Coast in the State Youth League as well as maintaining a position on the Northern NSW Football Under 14 Country Train On Squad.

Image L-R: Back Row - Newcastle Permanent Taree Community Lending Manager Craig Fuller, Taree FC President Dale Patterson, Dylan Patterson, Peter Flower, Petra Flower, Boaz Flower, Newcastle Permanent Taree Branch Manager, Vanessa Byma. Front Row – Joel Patterson, Hayden Patterson, Levi Buckshiran, Josiah Flower, Eden Flower and Levi Flower.

Taree FC’s Patterson family and Great Lakes United’s Flower family thanked Newcastle Permanent for their support of Junior Football across Northern NSW last week in Taree.

Dale Patterson, Vice President of Taree Wildcats FC, has all three of his sons registered with the club playing Newcastle Permanent Junior Football and knows firsthand the support provided by Newcastle Permanent is second to none.

Joel plays within Under 7s, Hayden in Under 10s and Dylan in Under 12s have all played with the club since Under 6s and enjoy every minute of their football experiences.

Meanwhile at Great Lakes United, the Flower family have six children playing football which makes for a hectic weekend!

Six year old Josiah is now in his first year of playing, with Levi Buckshiran also in his first year at seven years of age. Eight year old Levi Flower and sisters Eden, 11, and Petra, 14, also pull on their boots each weekend for Great Lakes. At 15, older brother Boaz now plays within the Newcastle competition for Mayfield United.