YOUTH TEAMS (U5-U17)

OUR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, RUN BY OUR FFA C LICENSED COACHES, OFFERS A GREAT PLACE FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS OF ABILITY TO ENJOY THEIR SOCCER AND DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS.

Our Mission

To provide the best facilities, equipment and coaching for young players to enjoy the game of soccer and to develop their soccer skills and knowledge to their maximum potential, whilst ensuring the highest possible standards of sportsmanship and personal conduct.

Our Vision

Participation levels across the club grow year-on-year. The club’s most capable young players can then go on to represent the club and our community through selection for district, association, state and national representative teams and are recognised for their commitment to the game and high standards of personal conduct.

BEAR CUBS (U5 - U8)

General Information

Children are placed in age groups relative to their birth date. Those born in the years as shown below will play in that corresponding age group:

Under 5: Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019

Under 6: Jan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018

Under 7: Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017

Under 8: Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016

Rules and team sizes vary based on age group, so get to know the difference below:

Bear Cub Rules

If you would like to register a full team you will require 6 players for the U5-U6 and 9 players for U7-U8 along with a manager and a coach.

Everyone must have their FFA#, registration and WWCC completed before sending through the request using the forms below.

When sending through a request we need the full name, DOB, FFA#, email and mobile for each person associated with the team.

Emails to be sent before the 18th February to be considered – bearcubsu5-u8@whsc.com.au

For those that don’t want to register a team, we will allocate a team for your child to play in and you will be advised in due course of the details of your team. You can then decide amongst yourselves who will be your manager and coach and what night training will occur.

Grounds

Bear Cubs play at Max Ruddock Reserve, Romulus Street, Winston Hills.

Games take place between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays. Game draws are issued to each team prior to the start of the season via the coach or manager. Games are only cancelled if the fields are closed by Council or club and may still be played in wet or cold weather.

Training is to be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights between 4.30pm and 7pm and is decided by the majority of the members of your team and can be at any of our club fields

Club Gear Requirements

Bear Cubs are required to wear the club strip at all games. This is seen on the club shorts and socks, which can be purchased online or from the clubhouse.

Shin pads are compulsory at training and games. No shin pads – no play.

All children with long hair must have it tied back during games.

We will supply game day team shirts. These are only worn during the game and must be collected at the end of the season, washed and returned to the clubhouse on a date nominated by the club.

We will supply a basic training kit which includes balls and vests. These must be kept by the coach and brought to each training session but not to game day.

Team Allocation Day

March 3rd 2024 – Time to be confirmed – Team Allocation and information morning.

The first game of the season will be Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Draw & Rosters

U5
DRAW

U6
DRAW

U7
DRAW

U8
DRAW

BELL ROSTER

Canteen Roster

BLACK BEARS (U9 - U12)

According to the Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) Building Blocks Model for practical development of youth soccer players, the second phase is the Skill Acquisition Phase.

This phase involves the following principles:

  • The coach must focus exclusively on providing a solid foundation of technical skill;
  • If the player does not gain this skill foundation during this phase it will be very difficult to make it up later;
  • No amount of fitness or competitive spirit will ever compensate for deficiencies in functional game skills.

WHSC YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK | STAGE 2: BLACK BEARS

ELEMENT

U9

U10, U11 AND U12

Competitions

  • Local district competition for Development Squads
  • Pre-season intra-club competition as part of grading process
  • Local district competition for Development Squads
  • Pre-season intra-club competition as part of grading process

Grading/Selection

  • Development Squads selected based on grading, coach assessments and prior form where available.
  • Where teams are over subscribed, lower graded teams may register up to 11 players.
  • Development Squads selected based on grading, coach assessments and prior form where available.
  • Where teams are over subscribed, lower graded teams may register up to 13 players.

Coaching Principles

  • 3 x 6 week-cycles with Model Sessions based on 4 Core Skills (1st Touch, 1v1, Striking the Ball, Running with the Ball).
  • Emphasis on development of individual skill with the ball, though Model Session also incorporate defensive skills.
  • WHSC Model Sessions will also include field positioning, spatial awareness and ball retention.
  • New coaches actively encouraged to join Coaching Pool, information packs distributed as part of ‘Registration Pack’.
  • Compulsory for all: WHSC Coaches Orientation and Grassroots Certificates (club funded).
  • Development Squad (“Senior Coaches”) must hold or be working towards Youth C Licence.

Aspiring players wishing to trial to play at the highest appropriate competition levels should register via myfootballclub.com.au in order and confirm attendance to: clubcoach@whsc.com.au

GRIZZLY BEARS (U13 - U17)

According to the Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) Building Blocks Model for practical development of youth soccer players, the second phase is the Skill Acquisition Phase.

This phase involves the following principles:

  • The coach must focus exclusively on providing a solid foundation of technical skill;
  • If the player does not gain this skill foundation during this phase it will be very difficult to make it up later;
  • No amount of fitness or competitive spirit will ever compensate for deficiencies in functional game skills.

WHSC YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK | STAGE 3: GRIZZLY BEARS

ELEMENT

U13, U14, U15, U16, U17

Competitions

  • Local district competition for Development Squads
  • Pre-season intra-club competition as part of grading process

Grading/Selection

  • Developments squads selected based on grading, coach assessments and prior form where available.
  • Where teams are over subscribed, lower graded teams may register up to 11 players.

Coaching Principles

  • Compulsory for all: WHSC Coaches Orientation and Grassroots Certificates (club-funded).
  • 3 x 6 week cycles with model sessions based on team play and tactical awareness.
  • Players are encouraged to begin to specialise based on competency profiles and personal preferences.
  • Physical conditioning training will also be introduced for Development Squads, requiring longer or additional sessions.
  • New coaches are actively encouraged to join the Coaching Pool, information packs are distributed as part of ‘Registration Pack’.
  • Former coaches re-engaged with a view to continuing their development (Club Coach > Senior Coach > Tech. Director).
  • Minimum requirement is Grassroots Certification and WHSC Coaches Orientation.
  • Development Squad (“Senior Coaches”) must hold or be working towards Youth C Licence.

Aspiring players wishing to trial to play at the highest appropriate competition levels should register via myfootballclub.com.au in order and confirm attendance to: clubcoach@whsc.com.au

Fixtures

For all up-to-date fixtures, results, and ladders, visit the official Hills Football Dribl site.