Junior Small Sided Football FAQ
Junior Small Sided Football (SSF) is a great introduction to soccer and is structured to ensure children have a fun and enjoyable experience whilst learning our great game. The Abbotsford Juniors Football Club (AJFC) Small Sided Football program is one of the most popular within the inner west of Sydney.
Key Information on the program includes:
• Junior Small Sided Football is a non-competitive game format that allows players to develop their skills and enjoyment of football. You can find out more about the philosopy of Small Sided Football and Kids football development through The CDSFA Supportive Parent information pack. Kids playing Small Sided Football gain the following benefits:
• Accessibility for all, as it is truly aimed at kids of all abilities, not simply the most talented
• With the removal of the emphasis on winning, kids are much more likely to enjoy their football experience
• More fun and enjoyment, due to smaller fields and simplified rules
• More playing time, which maximises individual participation and involvement
• Far more repeated touches of the ball by ALL players on the field
• More shots on goal, and
• More involvement leads to greater improvements in fitness
• The Under 6 and Under 7 teams are mixed teams combining boys and girls. Under 8 to Under 11 age groups offer mixed and girls-only teams.
• Under 6 teams are open to children who are already 5 years old prior to commencement of season or who turn 6 years of age during the year. Under 7 teams are open to children who are aged or turn 6 or 7 years old during the year
• The 2024 season for Under 8 to Under 12 teams will commence Saturday 6th April and finishes at the end of August (subject to finals). Games will commence for Under 6 and Under 7 on Saturday 6th April (and will then break for Easter school holidays and Anzac weekend).
• Parents are encouraged to participate as coaches or assistant coaches and are provided with all the resources required to support their team.
• Training Sessions are conducted at Campbell Park and most usually take place at the following times.
Under 6 – 4.30pm to 5.30pm Tuesdays,
Under 7 – 5.30pm to 6.30 pm Tuesdays
Under 8 through 12 - weekday evenings as scheduled by coaches and team managers
(As all our SSF coaches are mainly volunteer parents, the exact times and days are reliant on their availability. Coaches must get a valid working with children certificate registration)
• All children must wear soccer boots and shin pads (they won’t be allowed to play without them)
• Under 6 and Under 7 games are 4-a-side to allow all the players to be involved. Due to the popularity of our Small Sided Football program, the Under 6 and Under 7 teams play other AJFC teams (we anticipate having 8-10 teams). These games are held at Campbell Park each Saturday morning. Under 6 starts at 9:00am and Under 7 starts at 10:00am.
• Under 8 to Under 12 games are played on a home (home fields) and away (away fields) basis as part of the Football Canterbury Association Winter competition.
You can find more information about Small Sided Football rules at - CDSFA MiniRoos Playing Rules (see bottom of the page).
• Under 8 and Under 9 games are 7-a-side with a maximum team size of 11 players. Mixed team games are played on Saturdays. Girls team games are played on Sunday mornings.
• Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12 games are 9-a-side with a maximum team size of 13 players. Mixed Under 10 and Under 11 team games are played on Saturdays. Mixed Under 12, plus Under 10 and Under 11 Girls teams games are played on Sundays between 8am and 2pm.
• Player registration fees for Abbotsford Juniors can be viewed here. You are entitled to use your NSW Government Active Kids Voucher during registration which provides a $100 rebate - please note that this cannot be added after registration is completed.
• The Abbotsford Juniors Registration Fee includes a football playing kit including an AJFC playing kit for every new to Abbotsford Juniors player who registers with the Club in 2024. Playing jerseys are retained by the Club and distributed to coaches and managers of teams prior to the season kick-off for distribution to players. New players are required to purchase a pair of shorts and socks from the AJFC Store using a special discount code provided after registration is confirmed. Returning players/members will be able to use their shorts and socks from the 2023 season. New shorts and socks can be purchased from the Club store where required.
• Registration fees cover the operational costs of the Abbotsford Junior Football Club including training kit (balls, bibs, cones, poles and goals), match day balls, training and game ground hire as well as a range of fees payable to the Football Canterbury Association, Football NSW and the Football Federation of Australia (FFA).
Key Information on the program includes:
• Junior Small Sided Football is a non-competitive game format that allows players to develop their skills and enjoyment of football. You can find out more about the philosopy of Small Sided Football and Kids football development through The CDSFA Supportive Parent information pack. Kids playing Small Sided Football gain the following benefits:
• Accessibility for all, as it is truly aimed at kids of all abilities, not simply the most talented
• With the removal of the emphasis on winning, kids are much more likely to enjoy their football experience
• More fun and enjoyment, due to smaller fields and simplified rules
• More playing time, which maximises individual participation and involvement
• Far more repeated touches of the ball by ALL players on the field
• More shots on goal, and
• More involvement leads to greater improvements in fitness
• The Under 6 and Under 7 teams are mixed teams combining boys and girls. Under 8 to Under 11 age groups offer mixed and girls-only teams.
• Under 6 teams are open to children who are already 5 years old prior to commencement of season or who turn 6 years of age during the year. Under 7 teams are open to children who are aged or turn 6 or 7 years old during the year
• The 2024 season for Under 8 to Under 12 teams will commence Saturday 6th April and finishes at the end of August (subject to finals). Games will commence for Under 6 and Under 7 on Saturday 6th April (and will then break for Easter school holidays and Anzac weekend).
• Parents are encouraged to participate as coaches or assistant coaches and are provided with all the resources required to support their team.
• Training Sessions are conducted at Campbell Park and most usually take place at the following times.
Under 6 – 4.30pm to 5.30pm Tuesdays,
Under 7 – 5.30pm to 6.30 pm Tuesdays
Under 8 through 12 - weekday evenings as scheduled by coaches and team managers
(As all our SSF coaches are mainly volunteer parents, the exact times and days are reliant on their availability. Coaches must get a valid working with children certificate registration)
• All children must wear soccer boots and shin pads (they won’t be allowed to play without them)
• Under 6 and Under 7 games are 4-a-side to allow all the players to be involved. Due to the popularity of our Small Sided Football program, the Under 6 and Under 7 teams play other AJFC teams (we anticipate having 8-10 teams). These games are held at Campbell Park each Saturday morning. Under 6 starts at 9:00am and Under 7 starts at 10:00am.
• Under 8 to Under 12 games are played on a home (home fields) and away (away fields) basis as part of the Football Canterbury Association Winter competition.
You can find more information about Small Sided Football rules at - CDSFA MiniRoos Playing Rules (see bottom of the page).
• Under 8 and Under 9 games are 7-a-side with a maximum team size of 11 players. Mixed team games are played on Saturdays. Girls team games are played on Sunday mornings.
• Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12 games are 9-a-side with a maximum team size of 13 players. Mixed Under 10 and Under 11 team games are played on Saturdays. Mixed Under 12, plus Under 10 and Under 11 Girls teams games are played on Sundays between 8am and 2pm.
• Player registration fees for Abbotsford Juniors can be viewed here. You are entitled to use your NSW Government Active Kids Voucher during registration which provides a $100 rebate - please note that this cannot be added after registration is completed.
• The Abbotsford Juniors Registration Fee includes a football playing kit including an AJFC playing kit for every new to Abbotsford Juniors player who registers with the Club in 2024. Playing jerseys are retained by the Club and distributed to coaches and managers of teams prior to the season kick-off for distribution to players. New players are required to purchase a pair of shorts and socks from the AJFC Store using a special discount code provided after registration is confirmed. Returning players/members will be able to use their shorts and socks from the 2023 season. New shorts and socks can be purchased from the Club store where required.
• Registration fees cover the operational costs of the Abbotsford Junior Football Club including training kit (balls, bibs, cones, poles and goals), match day balls, training and game ground hire as well as a range of fees payable to the Football Canterbury Association, Football NSW and the Football Federation of Australia (FFA).
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