Local soccer clubs forced to turn kids away

Nick Wade | December 2nd, 2011


Junior soccer clubs in Geelong are bursting at the seams.

LOCAL junior soccer participation is booming at such a rate that some clubs have been forced to turn kids away due to their limited facilities.

Football Federation Victoria stats reveal 1750 juniors played club soccer across the region in 2011, up considerably from 1265 in 2007.

And participation growth is expected to climb again next year, fuelled further by a new Bannockburn club that will facilitate small-sided matches. FFV also plans to flood local schools with clinics in a further push to entice kids to play the sport.

FFV zone development officer Foddy Kyprian said there was still a general need for more facilities across Geelong and the Bellarine.

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"Corio Bay is a growing club and they need more facilities, every club could do with more facilities and there's massive growth in the under-7, -9 and -11 age groups," Kyprian said.

"Surf Coast is an area where it's getting catered for, but we probably need more pitches in the Bellarine.


"The relationship with FFV and City of Greater Geelong is at an all-time high and FFV is confident that the City will support the clubs and the growth over the years to come."

The number of girls playing the sport in the region has risen from 317 to 340 over the past four years.

Surf Coast FC has the biggest junior contingent 254 junior players with Bell Park SC (193), North Geelong Warriors (189) and Barwon SC (179) also strong.

City Hall will release a draft strategy on December 16 addressing the issues and challenges facing local soccer.

The strategy will cover areas such as improving local infrastructure and supporting the growth of the sport.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2011/12/02/295141_local_sports.html