Having a ball

Soccer is getting big in the Yarra Valley — and so are the soccer balls! A giant soccer ball will be part of the fun at the Healesville Soccer Registration Day on 7 February.Soccer is getting big in the Yarra Valley — and so are the soccer balls! A giant soccer ball will be part of the fun at the Healesville Soccer Registration Day on 7 February.

By Kath Gannaway
A SIX-WEEK clinic to be held in Healesville aims to introduce youngsters to soccer and provide an opportunity for those already playing the sport to improve their skills.
The clinic, hosted by Healesville Soccer Club, will cater for boys and girls aged five to 10 who are already playing, or are wanting to give it a go.
The program will involve skill development activities and games where the children will learn the basic skills of the game in a fun and safe environment.
The clinic will be conducted by Healesville Soccer Club’s Greg McMahon, a Football Federation Australia-qualified coach.
Mr McMahon said the drills and games the youngsters would be involved in during the one-hour clinic each week would help improve ball control, one-on-one skills as well as passing and shooting technique.
Small-sided games will give the kids a chance to practise what they have learnt as part of a game.
The clinics will be held at 4.30pm at the Queens Park Soccer Pitch in Don Road starting on Wednesday 11 February.
Children in the seven to 10 age group are eligible to play in the 2009 season.
Each child attending the clinic will receive a soccer ball, cap and water bottle.
For details, including cost, phone Mr McMahon on 5962 6658, or go along to the club’s 2009 registration day to be held at the Don Road pitch from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 7 February.
Registrations will be taken for junior teams from under-8 to under-16 and for the men and women’s senior teams.