July Fiesta
16-Jul-2010England may not have fared well in the World Cup but they came out the winner in the final match of the Waiheke United club’s July football fiesta holiday programme.
The game was the finale to the three-day fiesta, where the leading team of the round robin, all named after countries from the World Cup, went into the final.
Around 45 keen soccer players, boys and girls, ranging in age from 7 to 14, turned up Wednesday to Friday to learn skills and have fun all in the name of football.
The children probably weren’t even aware that all their fiesta coaches -- Mike Murray, Ray Skellern, Alec Wilson and James Foxon -- are rep coaches with AFF.
During the three days, the players would be divided into four groups according to age and ability, with a game at the end of each day made up of a mix of all different age groups. This game gives the younger players the experience of playing with older players – getting a feel for team play, passing and positioning.
Mike made special mention of the Waiheke players’ excellent attitude right through all three days. “All the coaches commented on this. We’ll have more soccer fiestas next year if everyone is keen. These players are a real credit to Waiheke and the club.”
Ray, who plays for Eastern Suburbs Reserves, was in charge of the youngest group. “My group focused on attacking because they are all interested in scoring goals. We did lots of ball skills and taught them some new tricks, trying to make sure they had fun. I’ve enjoyed it, the kid got stuck in.”
Jams and Alec also enjoyed the three days. “The kids were fantastic, even when it was raining,” said James. And Alec commented on the players’ good skills and attitudes.
With the club’s Christian Moy (grants and funding) securing subsidy from Cue Sports, the club was able to make this fiesta available to 45 children at $45 instead of the normal $90 fee for the three days.
Fine weather the first two days allowed the children to make the most of Te Huruhi’s pitches and it was only for one of the four sessions on the last day that the fiesta had to move indoors to the hall where they learned controlled skills and had a soccer quiz. (Can you score a goal from a kick off? What happens if the referee accidentally plays the ball?)
And the kids’ take on the fiesta?
Saskia (11): I thought it was really fun. We learnt to drag back, scissor and figure eight tricks. My favourite part was winning both games in one day.
Anglo (11): It was pretty good. I learnt a few tricks and I’d probably come next year.
Ella (9): It was good. I learnt ball control and some new tricks.
Miles (10): I liked it because we learnt some new tricks and we got to get into World Cup teams.
Footnote: The next fiesta will be held the second week of the April school holidays. Closer to the time the fiesta will be promoted in the Marketplace, Waiheke United’s website, through both primary schools’ newsletters, and through emails from club managers and coaches.
Thanks to Donna Dierick for all the hard work organizing the 2010 fiesta programs (April and July).
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