Squirts has come to Souths! Squirts is a specially designed program for 3 – 5 year olds. Read on for more.

SQUIRTS PROGRAM   -   3 – 5 year olds

What is Squirts?

The Football Squirts program has been created to develop the football skills of 3 to 5 year olds and is the only program endorsed by Football Queensland. The program will enhance the opportunities for young children to receive quality, consistent coaching. The hope is that in acquiring basic skills, participating children will not only learn correct technique but will also develop a love of the “world game”.

The Football Squirts program promotes football-based exercise and activity for younger children who are not able to be registered to play.

The program is not a ‘technical coaching’ program, but a tempered introduction to the great sport of football. The very basics of the game are introduced and experienced by the participants through different drills, practices and games.

Elite players are not the ultimate outcome we are seeking, rather the development of the individual participant’s gross motor skills in conjunction with them becoming physically active. Running, stopping, ball control, jumping, turning, balance, agility, movement and general co-ordination are all skills to be acquired and improved. Needless to say, all sessions have to be fun practices.

What do we teach in Squirts Football?

1. Coordination (body)

     The very essence of movement should be an integral part of each session. Basic skills such as running, jumping, turning and twisting are to be introduced.

2.  Motor Skills Development

     With or without a ball, the children are to be challenged in simple gross-motor skill movement.

3.  Hand-Eye and Foot-Eye Coordination

     This is integral for all sports and ought to be developed whether or not football is ultimately their chosen sport.

4.  Introduction to Stretching, Exercise and their Health Benefits

     Full body stretches are not advocated, but rather an introduction to such activities to educate the children on the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices.

5.  Basic Fundamentals of the Game and its Skills

The skills are introduced in a fun and relaxed manner. By introducing the information in a subtle way, the children are learning the basic fundamentals under the guise of having fun.

6.  Balance

     This element is important not just for football, but for life in general. One-legged stand has never been so much fun with and without the ball.

7.  Games and the Focus of Fun – not Winning

After several weeks of sessions and practice the concept of a game becomes instinctive in the participant’s football development. Simple throw-ins and goal-kicks skills are taught, but they are basically allowed to have fun and permitted to learn through play. Participation and having fun is the key element we are seeking to promote.

8.  Sportsmanship

We seek to instill in participants a need to show courtesy to others as they would like to be shown. The program aims to develop good athletes who accept winning and losing in the same spirit and manner. Encouragement of a positive outlook, to always look forward to the next game, is something we hope to instill.

9.  Rules and Regulations

We are aiming to give the children very basic rules so they can enjoy the game to a greater level. The concept of tackling and body contact will be addressed and monitored where needed.

10. Respect for Others and their Space

An underlying theme will ‘Be respectful of all players and officials’. Enjoyment from participating in the game, regardless of the result, is to be fostered.

Sign-on 12 February 2010                        5.30 – 6.30pm 

Clubhouse  cnr Nathan Road and Dew Street, Runcorn

Cost      $125-00                        Season commences Friday 5 March

For further details, contact Tracey Confessore   0417 741 297

Click here for Squirts Membership Application Form.