A WHOPPING 61 teams participated in a football gala day at Nambucca organised by Northern New South Wales Football (NNSWF).

Seven different schools from Urunga, Bowraville, Nambucca, St Patricks, Frank Partridge VC, Nambucca Valley Christian Community School and Raleigh Primary School participated in the event.

Nambucca Valley Christian Community School provided game leadership where over 20 high school students facilitated play.

Female Participation & Inclusion Officer at NNSWF, Annelise Rosnell was delighted with the event and outcry for more football gala days.

“The high school students were great leaders and definitely contributed to the success and enjoyment of the day.

“The fields at Nambucca are amazing, we had 16 small-sided fields set up and students and parents still had plenty of room to spectate.

“Nambucca Strikers were on canteen duty and we received lots of positive feedback from the day and how it was run, it was good exposure for the club and they are looking forward to working together on events like this in the future.

“Feedback from schools was that there hasn’t been a lot of football in schools and they were all stoked that we ran a football gala day, we already have enquiries about the next one,” said Rosnell.

Junior footballers in Coffs Harbour also participated in a gala day where 26 teams from six different schools comprising Upper Orara, William Bayldon, Karangi, Bishop Druitt College, Repton and St Francis Xavier Primary School who played at Forsyth Park aided by high school students from Bishop Druitt College.

Annelise Rosnell explained the development opportunities for both the primary and high school students.

“Small sided games are a great way for the juniors to develop their skills and improve their confidence, it also gives the high school students a great leadership opportunity and they did an awesome job guiding the kids.

“We liaised closely with Council and Coffs City United on the fields and their condition but the rain held off and fields were mown just in time for us to get on,” said Rosnell.

 

By David WIGLEY