FOOTBALL Federation Australia has announced a new name for small sided football called MiniRoos, aimed at youngsters looking to start playing the game.

MiniRoos is designed to introduce boys and girls, aged between four and 11, to a smaller version of football that allows them to have fun, learn new skills and make lifelong friends.

Matildas defender, Melbourne Victory W-League captain and MiniRoos ambassador Steph Catley says the program gives kids a chance to embrace the beautiful game at a young age.

“MiniRoos lets kids get involved in football in a fun filled environment where players get more touches on the ball,” Catley said.

“This is because of the smaller number of players, and it provides more opportunity for players to develop their technical skills.”

MiniRoos is played on a smaller pitch, has less players on each team, and no results are recorded so there is less of an emphasis on competition, but rather to develop players’ skills.

There are also no goalkeepers in MiniRoos up until the U8 age group, but this will only aid players’ development said Catley.

“Goalkeeper is such a specialist position, and players tend to develop in this role at a later age,” she said.

“In the young age groups, keepers can also be uninvolved for large periods of the game, and that means they might not feel a part of the team.”

Catley said this change helps bring Australia’s youngsters in line with some of the world’s best.

“Many of the larger football nations in the world such as England, Holland, Germany, and France play with modified versions of the game because to the many benefits that it provides.”

Mini Roos at Moreland Zebras

Tuesday and Thursday Nights at 6.00pm- De Chene Reserve Coburg

email youth@morelandzebras.com