Back from the Bench:
After a COVID break, a dedicated group of nominated club representatives joined forces in 2022 with a mission: bring back the Miniroo hubs! Remember those exciting carnival atmospheres where everyone cheered together under one roof? These hubs aimed to capture that spirit while reducing the volunteer burden on individual clubs.
Participation Explodes!
Kids came out in droves, especially after the COVID break. This surge in Miniroo football participation was fantastic to the point where there now wasn’t enough pitch space for the now accommodate the under-11s. The GRFC (all the clubs) made a substantial investment (tens of thousands of dollars!) in brand new, high-quality goals for the under 7s and 9s, along with pitch signs and other essential equipment. This not only ensured enough goals for increased participation but also upgraded the overall quality of the hubs and removed the substantial effort required to assemble and disassemble the prior goals. With these improvements in place, the North and South hubs for under 7s and 9s were successfully reinstated in 2023.
More Fun, More Teams!
By 2024, thanks to the Matildas inspiring a whole new generation of players, especially girls, the South hub needed to be split into separate under 7s and 9s hubs, with each club hosting four times a year. With the game’s continued growth, the North hub will also need to eventually transition to two hubs, maybe even in 2025.
Beyond the Beautiful Goals:
The hubs are more than just a convenient way to play. They’re a shining example of local clubs working together to make football better for everyone. This spirit of cooperation has even inspired other initiatives, like revamping competitions and creating a strategic plan for the region. Who knew a few hubs could spark such a positive change?
The Takeaway:
These hubs prove that when clubs team up, magic happens! They’ve reduced volunteer burdens, fostered a more inclusive environment, and most importantly, created a fantastic atmosphere for young players to develop their skills and love for the game. So next time you hear about the Miniroo hubs, remember, they’re not just about football, they’re about the power of teamwork!
THANK YOU!
A big shout-out to all the amazing volunteers involved in organising the u7s and u9s times and, in particular, when hosting.
Your countless hours and preparation make these Sunday mornings a fantastic experience for all our players and families.
