Photo: Solstice Digital
Tasmania’s next generation of talented footballers will be testing their skills against each other at the Twin Ovals in Kingborough this weekend. 32 teams from across the state in the Under 10,11,12 and 13 age groups will be taking part in Football Tasmania’s Kingborough Skills Acquisition Program (SAP) Festival. The festival is sponsored by McDonald’s as part of their recently announced partnership with Football Tasmania. Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley said the festival had grown to attract junior teams from across Tasmania. “The Kingborough SAP Festival is fast becoming one of the biggest days of the year on the football calendar,” Mr Bulkeley said. “It’s great to see clubs and SAP programs from right across the state represented at the festival, all with a focus of helping their young players develop their skills and love of Tasmania’s most popular team sport. “This weekend’s festival is also the first of many sponsored by McDonald’s and we’re delighted to have them on board to support the training and development of our junior players.” Football Tasmania Coach Development Manager David Smith said the SAP Festival aimed to develop the skills of talented players, coaches and referees, without the pressure of results or winning trophies. “SAP Festival games have no results recorded, no finals, and no trophies,” Mr Smith said. “This contributes to a very a supportive environment for developing skills which will help younger players throughout their whole football lives – whether that’s going on to play in a social capacity, right up to vying for a place in the Matildas or Socceroos. “For this age group there are four core skills the players are aiming to master – first touch, running with the ball, striking the ball and one-on-one play. “As well as the players, we also use the festival for the development of our coaches and referees, with an opportunity for Football Tasmania to observe and provide feedback on their performance in game-day conditions, without the pressure of results.”