Sydney FC tries to tap Granville youth

by Steven Deare

Granville District Soccer Association general manager Michael Briggs with Sydney FC head of football Stefan Kamasz.

MUMS and dads of junior soccer players, be warned. You could be taking your child to the football in the summer as well as the winter.

Under an agreement between Sydney FC and the Granville association, each player aged 12 years and under gets free membership and entry to the A-League club’s games.

The Sky Blues have signed the same deal with other associations, which includes player appearances and clinics.

Granville general manager Michael Briggs was hopeful local clubs would see more of the professionals soccer players.

``I hope the players come out and watch the kids play,’’ he said.

``I’m talking about the metropolitan (representative) league, for under-11s and under-12s, to give them encouragement. But I also hope if your club holds a fun day and wants someone (from Sydney FC), it means they turn up.’’

Sydney FC head of football Stefan Kamasz said the agreement would not just benefit the club and Granville, but soccer as a sport.

Meanwhile, Granville has taken over the running of the high-flying NSW Super League club, Parramatta Eagles.

The PCYC has exited the operations of the club that used to bear its name.

Briggs said the association wanted to provide more opportunities for locals at a high level.

``We’ve taken over the club, hopefully as a pathway for elite players to stay local rather than venture to other state league clubs.

``We have a lot of players who leave to play with Marconi, Blacktown and Sydney United. And there are players in Granville who are ex-Super League players who might find they go back now it’s at their backdoor.’’

The Eagles have seniors and under-20s teams, as well as five youth teams.

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