Miniroos

• Training: 

  • early Feb - Sep (training sessions continue during school holidays, unless otherwise communicated by the Club).

  • One or two training sessions per week* on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays (days and training times tbc in late Jan).  Attendance at all training is expected.

  • Where? JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne (map).

  • Pre-season training will commence early February. During these pre-season training sessions, players’ skills will be assessed, and players will be allocated to their training session time and team based on their age and developmental stage. This is not about deciding if your child is good or bad, this is about making sure that we understand players skill levels and then placing them in a team where they will enjoy the sport and best develop. We aim to notify players of team allocations by early March.

• Matches:

  • mid Apr - early Sep (~18 rounds Home & Away). Matches continue during school holidays, unless otherwise communicated by the Club.

  • Matches are every Saturday or every Sunday (dependent on age and level).

  • Where?

    • Home matches: JL Murphy Reserve, Port Melbourne (map).

    • Away matches: Melbourne (mostly south and east) vs local clubs.

• Galas/Cup comps

  • There will also be opportunities for cups and gala days pre- and post-season across Victoria (Team Manager to organise - additional cost).

• • Miniroos teams are into Kangaroos, Wallabies, Joeys - playing against similar level opposition to encourage all players to develop. 

  • Competitive matches vs other clubs, but there are no points or leagues. Despite playing matches against local clubs, scores are not kept during U7 – U11 matches and the focus is very much on skill development and enjoyment. From U12 onwards (Juniors), when scores and results are registered to a league, children become exposed to dealing with winning and losing in a positive and sporting manner.

  • Format dependent on age groups:

    • Under 7:

      • 1/8 pitch, size 3 ball

      • 4v4 (no goalkeepers) - squad of 7-8 players

      • Matches are 40 minutes duration (20 mins each way).

    • Under 8 & 9:

      • • 1/4 pitch, size 3 ball

        • 7v7 (incl goalkeepers) - squad of 11-12 players

        • Matches are 40 minutes duration (20 mins each way).

    • Under 10 & 11:

      • • 1/2 pitch, size 4 ball

        • 9v9 (incl goalkeepers) - squad of 13-14 players

        • Matches are 50 minutes duration (25 mins each way).

Registration Fees include but are not limited to: Football Victoria and Football Australia (FV & FA) player and team registration, insurance, Macron playing kit, coaching expenses, training and match day equipment, events, end of season trophies and celebrations, costs related to all club facilities e.g. council fees and utilities.

• Fees: $420

• Football Victoria release the season leagues and fixtures in mid-April (1-2 weeks before the start of the season).

• We will provide links to the Gameday fixtures here.

• Access for coaches and TMs ONLY.

• Click here to access.

• Our community Club is not-for-profit and is 100% volunteer run to deliver our program of football and club events. There are many ways in which you can contribute so please let us know if you have any special skills or interests that can help our club. If you are interested in helping out, whether in a short term role, as a committee member, as a coach or Team Manager or are even in a position to sponsor, please get in contact with us email middleparkfc.juniors@gmail.com.au for a commitment free discussion on what you’re interested in. We are keen to grow our team and would love to hear from you! 

• Parental support: every parent/ guardian is expected to help - do not shy away! -  whether in an official role (below), helping with training equipment, setting up on match day, putting together a BBQ, or helping on a subcommittee.

  • Coaching: Teams cannot run without coaches. Our coaches are parent volunteers, but many are qualified to the required Football Victoria level for the age group. Should you volunteer as a coach, you will get plenty of mentoring and support from our Technical Director and cohort of experienced coaches. If you are interested to find out more, please fill in our Coaches Expression of Interest.

  • Team Managers: All teams will need a parent volunteer Team Manager, please contact the Program Manager if you can assist. 

  • Game manager/Referee: There are no official FV referees at Miniroos level. The MPFC Referee Pathway Program can offer a trainee referee (13-18) to referee - if available, and at small cost to the team. However, it is expected that parents will step in to oversee a game (unofficial referee) for most matches.

• Age Groups and Gender: For Miniroos Middle Park recommends players to play in the correct age group. Player age is determined as at 1st January of the current season -  this may not correspond with the players school year level. Football Victoria allows Girls Miniroos to play in the Boys Miniroos  competition. Boys of any age are not permitted to play in the Girls competition.

• The Club playing uniform – team shirt, shorts and socks are required to be worn for all games. All players must wear boots and shin guards for training and matches.