To register INTEREST for our 2024 PROGRAMS click on this link.
Following a very successful launch in 2010, Middle Park Football Club continues to grow its kids program (from Intraclub, Mini Roos to Juniors) with 19 teams in 2023 (including 4 girls teams). Responding to great demand for a junior soccer program in and around the Port Phillip area, the Club offers football programs for children aged between 5 and 18 years old (and a pathway to our Seniors). Expressions of interest are open for the 2024 season.
What are the values of the MPFC?
Mutual respect
Passion for the game
Fun for families
Community is everything
Programs
Option 1: Intraclub Program
A Miniroos Intraclub player will participate in a training session every Saturday morning for 1 hour (9-10am) from mid April to early September (excluding the middle and last weekends of the school holidays). Training will be at JL Murphy Reserve in Port Melbourne and focus on enjoyment and skill development. This is a fantastic way to introduce your child to football (aged 5 to 10). As a community club, we rely on parents to step up to coach these sessions!
Option 2: Home and Away Program
Home & Away players will be assigned a squad (mixed, boys or girls) to train and play with throughout the year. We rely on parents volunteering to be the coaches and managers of these squads. Our home ground is at JL Murphy Reserve in Port Melbourne.
Pre-season training and galas begin in February/March, with the formal Football Victoria season running from mid April to early September for approximately 18 rounds.
There are 1-2 training sessions per week (depending on age/team) and games on Sunday:
- Training is usually on Wednesdays 6-7pm for under 7 and 8’s, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6-7pm for U9-U13’s and 7-8pm for U14s+ (any variance is up to individual coaches and often based on age level)
- Matches are on Sunday mornings (40 – 90 mins depending on the age group).
Parents/guardians are expected to attend training and matches, even if it’s cold! Children cannot be left unattended without a parent or guardian. If you cannot attend, you need to be within close proximity in case of emergencies and notify the coach as such.
Parents/guardians are expected to support the MPFC community by volunteering during the season.
Option 3: Girl’s Intraclub Program
Girl’s (aged 5 to 12) will participate in a training session every Wednesday 6-7pm between mid-April and early September (excluding the school holidays). Training will be JL Murphy Reserve, alongside the girls Home & Away teams, with a focus on enjoyment and skill development. This is a fantastic way to introduce your daughter to football.
What Can You Expect
Between the ages of 5 and 11 years old, your son or daughter will be involved in small sided football. Small sided football is a modified form of regular 11-a-side soccer, designed to meet the needs of girls and boys from 5 to 11 years of age. Coaching at this age is based on enjoyment and freedom of expression for kids, with a focus on fun and learning the core elements of working in a team.
Our Intraclub program is a fun, non-competitive environment in which to introduce kids to football. Players are organised in relatively small groups of up 10 players with a “game leader”. In an hour long session, the MPFC game leader will take the kids through a warm up followed by practical exercises and skill development. The aim is to let the kids learn by doing and playing, with minimal coaching from the game leaders. At the end of each session the group plays a small sided game where the players can practice the skills they learned during the sessions.
The philosophy is very much the same in our Home & Away program. Despite playing matches against local clubs, scores are not kept during U7 – U11 matches and the focus is very much on skill development and enjoyment. From U12 onwards, when scores and results are registered to a league, children become exposed to dealing with winning and losing in a positive and sporting manner.
Children are not formally graded within the U7-U9 teams (as the primary focus is on having fun & learning what it is to be part of a team) however there may be some broader grading to ensure teams are playing at a level suitable to their skill & experience. Formal grading of players occurs with the transition into U10’s.
Beyond observing our values and comprehensive Code of Conduct for players, there is an expectation that children are participating to develop their love of football, learn what it’s like to be part of a team & have fun. They are also making a commitment to regularly attend training nights, games and listen to their coach!
Documentation
- Encouraging Kids to respect the game
- Thanks To Parents
- Parent Code of Conduct
- Football Development Checklist
Become a Volunteer!
It is important for our club & our community that our Code of Conduct is kept in mind & respected throughout the season.
MPFC is a great community club that is completely reliant on volunteer power. Everyone is expected to contribute in some capacity during the season:
- Please tell us if you are eager to step up for coaching and managing duties, refereeing, lines person duties (U12 and up) etc. Without a parent coach (or 2) and manager stepping up from each team, our H&A teams would not exist.
- If you’re not able to be a coach or be a team manager, you can still help the coach at training or on game day with simple acts of support like set up, pack down, wrangling the team, bringing oranges, tidying equipment etc.
- You could also become part of the (awesome) Committee or assist them in their duties such as ordering equipment, uniforms and trophies, sourcing sponsorship, arranging friendlies or participation in gala days, assisting at club events (BBQ’s, pizza nights), sending out communications to the families and coordinating registrations etc.
Please indicate your willingness to volunteer to middleparkfc.juniors@gmail.com.
Program Dates
The formal season for both playing options runs from April through to September (as per the Football Victoria guidelines) with pre-season for home and away starting in February. Sessions continue during school holidays, unless otherwise communicated by the Club.
Location
Middle Park FC Juniors train and play out of the JL Murphy Pavilion at JL Murphy Reserve, Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne.
Costs and What’s Included
All fees include all coaching, club apparel, FFV affiliation and end of season trophy!
The Club fees for 2024 are to be confirmed however the 2023 prices were:
- $300 for Intraclub
- $390 for Home & Away if under 12 (as at 1/1/2023) or $450 if 12 or over (as at 1/1/2023)
Club fees cover Football Australia and Football Victoria fees/insurance, uniform, grounds fees, equipment and some social events. You are required to provide your own boots and shin guards.
Frequently asked questions for 2023:
Q: What age should my child be to register?
A: Minimum age is 5 (4 turning 5 in 2023) for Intraclub and 6 (6 turning 7 in 2023) for home and away.
Q: How are coaches determined?
A: MPFC is a community club. We rely 100% on parents to fill coaching, managing and other positions within teams. Without this help we cannot provide such a fantastic program for the kids of our local community.
Q: Does my child have to attend training?
A: There is no training for the Intraclub, however the Home & Away format requires children to train with their teams 1-2 times a week (as above).
Q: How do I know my child will be safe?
A: Each MPFC game leader is accredited by Football Victoria. MPFC volunteers have obtained a Working with Children Check.
Q: Is your program recognised by a governing body?
A: Miniroos is endorsed by the Football Australia and is operated by Football Victoria. These organisations operate under the international rules of FIFA (the global governing body of football).
Q: May I drop off my child and pick him/her up at the end?
A: Regardless of the presence of dedicated game leaders and availability of onsite first aid during all sessions, we require all participants to have a parent / guardian present at all times. In addition, it is important that you are there to support the coaches and team managers.
Q: What other equipment may my child need?
A: Kids will need water bottles, football boots, shin guards. Shin guards must be worn to participate. In addition, you may like to consider warmer and water proof clothing during the winter months. The sessions will go ahead regardless of the weather.
For any other queries please contact the Committee via middleparkfc.juniors@gmail.com.