Academy sets up in Matamata
Waikato Football Academy is looking to further its work with young footballers in 2018.
Matamata-based head coach Alastair Sievewright will oversee the programme, which took its first steps during term 4 in 2017.
The academy is now moving forward with a full year football development programme, targeting Matamata-Piako and South Waikato.
‘‘I’m looking forward to working with young footballers and other sports people from the wider Matamata-Piako area over the course of the year and helping them develop their skills,’’ said Sievewright.
‘‘We had an enthusiastic group at the end of 2017. I’m hoping we can build on that as the children prepare for the winter sports season then compliment their regular training during the season.’’
The programme had the full support of Matamata Swifts AFC.
Swifts President, Dwayne Barlow, is pleased to have the academy programme scheduled in the calendar this year.
‘‘It’s great to have someone like Alastair living locally able to provide the sort of coaching we have struggled to offer in the past.
‘‘Normally children would have to travel to Hamilton or Tauranga for something like this.
‘‘On a personal level, I’ll have two boys who’ll be involved, and I hope plenty of other children, not only from Matamata but the wider Matamata-Piako and South Waikato area, give this a serious look.
‘‘One big opportunity I see here is for children playing other winter sports on Saturday mornings.
‘‘The academy programme means they can train during the week and also play games on the occasional Sunday against WFA teams from Hamilton and, potentially, other teams from further afield via the WFA network.
‘‘Football offers a great cross training opportunity that will help children in their specialist sport.’’
The academy programme begins at the Matamata Domain on Tuesday, February 27, with sessions running from 4pm to 5.15pm for the final six Tuesdays of term 1.
The programme is open to girls and boys aged from 7 to 12 years of age. Further blocks will run through terms 2 to 4.
For more information: waikatofootballacademy.com or matamataswifts.com/juniors/wfa or contact Alastair on 021 471 021. Children keen to play for the Swifts should keep an eye out for registration details, which will be available on the club’s website within the next two weeks.