JUNIORS
Juniors
Balcatta Etna offers club soccer for players aged 5 to 16 with MiniRoos, Junior Boys League, Junior Girls League and Junior NPL teams. Our training sessions are based at our home ground, Grindleford Reserve in Balcatta.
We are committed to investing in the development of our junior teams toward their journey into the NPL and NPLW pathways. As a proud community club, we mentor and encourage our players to have a strong relationship with our club community. Junior players are supported by participation of all community members including coaches, senior players, club committee members and families.
Get in touch and find out more about our Junior program:
Junior boys league (JBL)
Balcatta FC currently has a number of teams playing in the Junior Boys League (JBL). The JBL is a community program for boys with teams available from under 13s through to under 18s. Teams play on full size pitches with full FIFA rules.
What’s it all about?
What is it?
• 11-a-side football games and training
Who is it for?
• Boys aged 13 – 18
When is it played?
• April – August
• 2x Session per week
• 1x Game per week
What does it look like?
• Team-based games and training sessions
JUNIOR GIRLS LEAGUE (JGL)
Balcatta FC will field teams in the Junior Girls League across all age groups for 2024, from U12s through to U18s. Leading on from a solid and strong foundation in the Women’s NPL, Balcatta FC is committed to further investing in the development of our female footballers towards their journey into the NPLW pathway.
The Club has introduced a number of initiatives available to our JGL players, including Girls only Skill Acquisition Programmes (SAP) and a dedicated pre-season Strength and Conditioning program overseen by an accredited Exercise Physiologist. Take your football future where you want to go!
What’s it all about?
What is it?
• 11-a-side football games and training
Who is it for?
• Boys aged 13 – 18
When is it played?
• April – August
• 2x Session per week
• 1x Game per week
What does it look like?
• Team-based games and training sessions
MINIROOS | Ages 6-12
Balcatta FC is proud to partner with the FFA to offer the ALDI MiniRoos program.
The nation-wide initiative uses short, game-based sessions to introduce the sport of football to newcomers in an inclusive way. It focuses on learning new skills, being active, making life-long friends and, potentially, unearthing the next generation of Socceroos or Matildas.
What’s it all about?
What is it?
• Winter season team-based football
• Small-sided football games
Who is it for?
• Boys and girls aged 6-12
• Children that are ready to and want to play on a football team
When is it played?
• April – August
• Approx 20 weeks
What does it look like?
• Average 1 training session and 1 game per week
• Team-based games of 4v4, 7v7 and 9v9
• Modified rules to promote inclusiveness, engagement and
technical ability
CLUSTERS | AGES 6-7
Balcatta FC's Clusters is an out of season program aimed for our next generation of players in our MiniRoos program.
Sessions are taken by the clubs Technical Director and Junior NPL Coaches. The focus of sessions is on individual skill development, and using the “hidden learning” approach to develop the players tactical knowledge and ability.
What’s it all about?
What is it?
• Small-sided football games & skill specific drills
Who is it for?
• Boys and girls aged 6 – 9
• Players within the Balcatta FC MiniRoos
When is it played?
• November & December
• 2x Session per week
What does it look like?
• 1 class per week on Saturday mornings, 45 mins per session
• Sessions limited to maximum 8x players to ensure players are getting personalised coaching.
CHILDREN’S BENEFITS
• Fun, football game-based sessions that build fundamental motor skills;
• Activities aim to improve confidence and self-esteem;
• Low participant-to-coach ratio resulting in greater individual engagement;
• Increased touches of the ball and more goal scoring opportunities;
• Make new friends and develop fundamental social skills;
• Develop values of teamwork, cooperation, fair play, and respect for others;
• Keep healthy by getting active
SKILL AQUISITION PROGRAM
Balcatta FC’s Skill Acquisition Program (SAP) is delivered to players in our Junior NPL Pathway by our Technical Director and our Junior NPL Coaches.
The program is designed to accelerate the skill development of identified players between the critical ages of 9 to 12. This is the age group universally acknowledged to be the optimal mental and physical phase in which children are able to learn motor skills.
Session focus on individual skill development, and using the “hidden learning” approach develops the players tactical knowledge and ability. Coaches use training exercises which involve as many of the game-specific resistances (team-mates, opponents, direction, goals, etc) as possible, so that game awareness is automatically developed.
What’s it all about?
What is it?
• Small-sided football games
Who is it for?
• Boys and girls aged 8-12
• Players within the Balcatta FC NPL Pathway Program
When is it played?
• April- August
• Additional session provided monthly
What does it look like?
• Team-based games of 4v4, 7v7 and 9v9
• Modified rules to promote inclusiveness, engagement and technical ability
