February 17, 2015
by Martin Stern
2015 promises to be an exciting year for football across the South Burnett.
The first “Girls in Pink” day was held in Kingaroy on February 8 with 22 attending.
These days are exclusively for female players 12 years and up. There is skill training, goalkeeper training, information on health and nutrition and pathways to representative football.
Further days will be held in Nanango on Saturday, March 1 and in Wondai on Saturday, March 8.
All girls and women are welcome to come along and have a go, there is no obligation.
See further information at www.footballsouthburnett.com.au.
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The Level 4 (entry level) Referees Course has been postponed until Saturday, March 1 at the Kingaroy Senior Soccer Club.
There is a minimum requirement of 10 applicants.
The course is free and there is no obligation to register as a referee, but if you complete the course it will enable you to be a volunteer club referee for a fully qualified referee is unable to be allocated.
For more information and to register, go to www.footballsouthburnett.com.au.
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Entries for the 2015 FFA Cup closed on Friday, February 13.
Only one club from the South Burnett registered – a combined Kingaroy side (Gunners and Wests) which will compete with Toowoomba sides Willowburn, Wanderers, South Hawks, USQ and Warwick, who all play in the Toowoomba Premier League.
The format for the knock out draw is still to be decided.
The winning team will have a crack against the local NPL team South-West Qld Thunder.
It is envisaged that Mauro Buzzo and Debbie Ovens will manage the combine team.
Nanango refrained from entering the competition this year.
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The 2015 Evolution Solar South Burnett Football League kicks off on Saturday, March 21.
Nanango will host Barambah at home while it will be the local derby between Wests and Gunners in Kingaroy.
The draw is on the Football South Burnett website in PDF format.
The Presidents Cup will be held on May 23 at a venue to be decided.
And the June long weekend will see South Burnett Representative Women’s, Men’s and Youth teams play in the Zone Championships in Toowoomba.
Kingaroy will host this year’s Grand Final, Nanango the Semi-Finals (Super Sunday) and Barambah the Preliminary Finals.
Junior Football will not kick off until May 2 in Wondai.
However, registration is open for all clubs and no doubt training will be starting soon for all clubs.
The start was deferred to May because April has Easter, Anzac Day and School Holidays and would be disruptive to the competition.
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Brisbane’s Paralympic Football Program will be visiting the South Burnett on Saturday, April 18 at the Kingaroy Junior Redbacks, and further information will be provided about this wonderful event as it comes to hand.
The Brisbane Paralympic Football Program started in 2005 and is run under the umbrella of the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association.
Under the direction of Head Coach Jay Larkins, the Program now has more than 40 athletes, three assistant coaches, managers and a regularly attending physiotherapist.
After his son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Jay Larkins became passionate about Paralympic football.
Jay established the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program in 2006, and today coaches more than 100 children with disabilities, giving them opportunities to engage in team sport and exercise.
As head coach, Jay oversees a team of assistant coaches, managers, volunteers and a regular physiotherapist and dietician, who are all committed to helping the young athletes be the best they can be.
Jay’s “never say never” attitude has been inspirational to many participants in the program, with four athletes representing Australia, and others working towards qualification for the 2016 Paralympic Games.
More importantly, the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program provides people with an inclusive environment for young athletes with disabilities to develop their skills and confidence.
Jay is now helping to develop similar programs in other parts of Queensland.
When asked about his coaching philosophy, Jay’s answer is simple: “I teach people motivation and self-belief”.
