FUN IN FOCUS FOR HOPPERS
GRASSHOPPER Soccer coach Dom Sefton wants to give youngsters an introduction to The World Game and help them develop a lifelong love of sport.
Sefton, who runs Grasshopper Soccer in Geelong and Torquay, started the program in 2017 and is already seeing his numbers steadily grow.
The program, for kids of all ages, is different to those at soccer clubs.
“It’s about getting out, having fun and learning the fundamentals,” Sefton said.
“It’s a fun, non-competitive run around in the park.
“It’s a chance to get away from iPads and the couch.”
Sefton also holds a role with the Australian National Team, travelling with the Socceroos around the world.
Sefton said his Grasshopper program brings more “personal value” and one-on-one time.
“I try and teach the kids the fundamentals of soccer,” he said.
“We don’t just get on pitch and split into two and do a game. “We do little drills, little skills. “There’s not so much emphasis on the skills, more the game itself. And intrinsically the skills are being learnt (when they’re having fun and playing the games). They may not know they are learning it, but they are. “They’re just more focused on the game itself like battleships or submarines.”
Sefton admits he would love to unearth the next Australian soccer star , but gets just as much reward from seeing the smile on the faces of the youngsters he is coaching.
“To find the next superstar from this program would be awesome. And you never know,” he said. “I want to develop them, get them out there.”
Sefton said he has ambitions to grow his program around the region, earmarking plans to expand into Ocean Grove.
There’s also a hope of one day making the program free so kids can enjoy soccer without their parents feeling a financial pinch.
“I want to build it through the region,” he said.
“It would be ideal to get sponsors on board and make it free for kids to join, participate and play in a fun environment.
“It costs a fortune to join a club for little kids. That’s OK if you can afford it, but there’s parents that can’t afford it from lower socio economic areas.
“Then there’s issues with confidence, ability, obviously there’s try outs (at clubs) and some kids don’t want to do that and they don’t play soccer.”
For more information about the program email: dominic@ grasshopper soccer. com.au