FOOTBALL Federation Sunraysia general manager Susan Watts is hopeful the benefits of Australia’s successful FIFA World Cup campaign will reach regional areas.
Better access to elite level coaching and further investment into junior development are at the top of the wishlist.
The Socceroos World Cup campaign has set more eyes on the world game, leading pundits and former players including Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich to implore Football Australia to capitalise on the increased momentum of the game down under.
Investing in the game at the grass roots level to ensure further development of elite pathways is front and centre of the push.
Watts said the increased attention and enthusiasm for the sport had been great to witness, and she hopes it will have a flow-on effect.
“I think there’s been a lot of enthusiasm about the Socceroos, and I know even at the Multicultural Cup we had in October there were a lot of people talking about,” she said. “It’s always good that there is increasing interest in the sport and generally it all seemed to be really positive, even on social media everyone was behind Australia and supporting them.
“Certainly the Women’s World Cup next year we’re expecting to have a an influence on playing numbers and more girls taking up the game.
“I’m not sure exactly what will come out of this financially but hopefully it goes towards further junior player development and having more elite level coaching available, especially for those in regional areas.”
Watts said it only takes one look at Socceroo Garang Kuol and his rise through the ranks at Shepparton to know there is talent to be found in regional areas.
“Hopefully at state and national level they look into increasing development for juniors and ways to provide better access to elite level coaching and more coaching development as well, not just in the cities,” she said.
“We had multiple teams go away and compete in tournaments this year and it shows there is a real interest in playing at that higher level. We have multiple young players and families who are looking at moving to Adelaide or Melbourne to give them the best opportunity to go further.
“In Mildura we have a lot of new arrivals who are full of raw talents but just don’t get the opportunities that others in bigger areas might. You only have to look at Garang Kuol to see what the possibilities are.
“Even something like goal keeping coaching, which is a specialised skill, it’s hard for juniors in regional areas to access that.
“Upgraded facilities would be great but we also don’t need huge facilities here. I would push more for higher level coaching education so that could hopefully lead to more juniors going further and even making the S-League bigger and better.”
