Starting on Thursday, the A-League Club took 60 kids aged between 5-16 years through a series of drills designed to teach valuable skills and a love for the game. The blow-up field was popular for many, and parents cheered on as the little athletes showed off their new talents. 

“The point of this program really is to keep kids playing. Our ethos is very much ‘let’s have fun,’” Brisbane Roar community football manager Andy Pinches said.

“It’s not about academies, it’s not about excellence, it’s not about being the best. It’s about getting kids to continue to love the game and improve their skills.”

The club are hoping to continue building a strong relationship with the Inverell community and possibly train future A-League players here.

The clinic is the second local Brisbane Roar program after a popular session last year. Several players were even invited to join the professionals on the Suncorp Stadium field during a Sydney FC match.

“It’s not just about capturing the imagination of those preps and little ones, it’s about giving opportunities to the whole age range,” Pinches said.

“We will eventually identify certain kids that we can then refer back to the academies at Brisbane Roar. So hopefully in the future we can fill our team with people from Queensland or northern NSW.”

Pinches said the club was pleased to give a unique opportunity to young country players.

“The city kids, they get everything – they get every sort of opportunity,” he said.

“The kids here, they’re so appreciative. They listen to every word and they take everything in. It’s beautiful for us as coaches to have that receptive audience as well.”

Inverell Soccer Association president Anthony Alliston was thrilled to host the club. Pinch thanked the local volunteers.

The fun continues today, with players on the field from 9am-12pm.