PHOTOS: This year’s Skyridge Eaglets program has showcased some of the club’s newest and youngest participants in the game, providing football fundamentals to a select group of 3 to 5 year olds eager to play the World Game.
In 2024 the club welcomed our new sponsor and partner for the program in Skyridge, whose support, alongside the Nerang Old Boys and Girls Social Club (Nobs), has been invaluable in ensuring the program has been able to be delivered with fantastic new equipment and subsidised fees, ensuring the program remains the most affordable of its kind around.
The Skyridge Eaglets program was in high demand and hosted 20 exceptional young kids this year of varying ages and backgrounds, all coming together to take their first steps into the giant world of football. (Photos below)
This year’s program also saw the arrival of Assistant Coaches including Lincoln Syers from our men’s First Grade FQPL team, and the return of young Kyal Sorensen (himself a former graduate of this very same program) who has since advanced to the highest levels of FQ Academy football as well as being part of Queensland’s National Champions team for indoor soccer (Futsal) in 2024.
The program’s Lead Coach Luke said that this year’s fresh batch of fledgling Eaglets have been some of the best through so far in the year’s he’s been involved with it, with an exciting array of kids demonstrating some incredible skills and passion for football activity.
“It’s been fantastic to see the rapid growth in many of the players, we’ve had some really great kids through who’ve shown tremendous courage and really embraced the concepts of the game in such a short amount of time,” said Luke.
“It’s not just learning new football skills, it’s much broader than that, it’s all about the kids taking their first steps into a much larger world of group activity, of physical challenges, movements and coordination, focus and discipline, but above all loads of fun!”
The Discovery Phase of Football
Coach Luke says that it’s critical young players in this phase continue to develop a strong connection to the game, as it’s that connection which lays the foundation for passionate learning and resilience in the later years of their football journey.
“The program aims to help kids develop a strong connection to the game in their early formative years, that they learn to love the game and associate football with fun and enjoyment, with a real sense of achievement.”
“We’ve developed specific activities and games that put fun and excitement at the forefront, but also get the kids involved as a group and allows them to discover the basic skills and movements which form the foundation of football activity.”
“It’s critical that young players, from the ages of about 4 up to 8 or 9 years, develop a strong affinity and love for the game first, and within that framework we will of course sneak in some ball control challenges, speed and agility, coordination and vision — a whole bucket full of core football skills both on the ball and off it.”
“There’s no pressure, it’s freedom of expression and freedom of exploration, and the kids can go at their own pace, opt in or out as they please — something we believe is also vital to making sure that the kids embrace football as a whole, that it’s something they want to do, not have to do.”
“They’ve all rapidly improved and developed new social skills, confidence and physical abilities, and there’s certainly been a few stand outs within some of the older kids who we’re sure will be back next year to step up and join one of our U6 teams as they move into the next phase.”
Nerang Soccer Club President Fred Stone said the popularity and success of the program demonstrates that football remains one of the most sought after children’s team sports.
“It’s great to see the demand growing and we’ll be looking to possibly expand the program in 2025 to allow even more kids to get involved and be part of the Eagles family down here,” he said.
As part of the program, a handful of the Eaglets this year had the privilege of participating in a goal-shooting exhibition in front of spectators and members at our senior men’s FQPL team’s last home game for the season.
Eaglets showcased their goal shooting powers to the cheers from the terrace, and shortly after a surprise visit from the Nerang Eagle mascot, they were tasked with leading our men’s senior team out onto the pitch at the start of the match — an exciting moment for all involved.
The Eaglets returns in 2025, check our website and social media around Easter time for details of the next program.
