Australian football legend Tim Cahill says the grassroots football initiatives at the heart of A-Leagues Unite Round can play an integral role in capturing the hearts and minds of young fans of the most participated sport in the country.
Over three glorious days of football, Sydney will host the inaugural A-Leagues Unite Round this weekend, bringing all 24 teams across the Isuzu UTE A-League and Liberty A-League together for a 12-game extravaganza.
But there’s more to Unite Round than the action on the pitch, including several grassroots programs designed to give young footballers the chance to play and train like they do in the A-Leagues.
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Cahill himself knows all about the importance of engaging with the next generation of Australian footballers.
Whether wearing the green and gold of the Socceroos or the red, white and blue of Melbourne City in the A-Leagues, the 108-cap Australian international made it his mission to greet as many young fans as possible after games, signing autographs and taking pictures.
As a result, Cahill has thrown his support behind the A-Leagues’ Unite Round, with a special giveaway of his Tiny Timmy children’s books added to the weekend events to help encourage more young families to get out and enjoy what Unite Round has to offer.
“To see the Unite Round bring the women’s teams together, the men’s teams, grassroots activations, I think for me, that’s probably the most special part,” Cahill told aleagues.com.au.
“Football over the years has evolved. We’ve just seen now with the Women’s World Cup, we’ve seen the impact they’ve made consistently over the years, and it’s nice because the fans love football – and this Unite Round is a great concept, and something that will capture the fans, their passion and their desire to support their team, but also to support the men’s and women’s game.”
The Unite Round grassroots activities include Girls Unite: a female-only event for girls aged 6-12 on Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13.
Girls Unite includes introductory games, round robin social competitions and player appearances, including Matildas and Sydney FC star Cortnee Vine.
There are also 26 school holiday clinics on offer in collaboration with four A-Leagues clubs: Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC, Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers. Signing up for any of the holiday clinics or Girls Unite grant participants tickets to Unite Round.
FULL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FOR GIRLS UNITE
“This is the most important thing for me: the platform of building the foundations for grassroots,” Cahill said.
“One thing is clear: we are the most participated sport in Australia, and this has been over many decades. And now, it’s how we translate that, to find these pathways for boys and girls to play.
“To play is one thing, but to have fun for me is the key. When you create that environment of safety, you create that environment of playing games and active skills, it then creates friends, it creates a nice atmosphere. And it creates that whole basis of having fun.”
FULL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FOR NSW SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINICS FOR KIDS
Spaces are limited, so follow the links above to register and to secure your position! For enquiries, please contact unite.grassroots@aleagues.com.au.
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Cahill added: “When you look at these events, it’s about coming down as a family and having fun.
“That’s always been the biggest thing for me; whenever I was a player, playing or in training sessions, or at games, one thing with the Socceroos is I was always one of the last to leave, to sign every autograph. And the A-League, signing autographs not only for Melbourne City but for Sydney FC (fans), Brisbane Roar (fans), these clubs.
“And I think that’s the key: the activation you have with the fans, with the families, regardless of who you play for, but then going and seeing a women’s game, seeing the impact of what has happened there, and also seeing some of these grassroots initiatives and supporting it.”
To celebrate Unite Round and the grassroots initiatives in place throughout the festivities, Australian Professional Leagues have partnered with Cahill for an exciting book giveaway from the former Socceroo’s Tiny Timmy children’s book series.
A total of 300 copies of the latest book in the series: Tiny Timmy – Indoor Super Skills! will be given away throughout Unite Round, as well as 200 copies of the first book in the series: Tiny Timmy – Soccer Superstar!
Cahill says the Tiny Timmy series came about as a result of his passion for grassroots football and connecting with his four children whom he has drawn inspiration from throughout the 15-book series.
“To write children’s books was just a conduit to the grassroots, to the grassroots programs I created, the free grassroots programs in schools, going to football clubs,” Cahill said.
“The children’s books (are) basically something where, in layman’s terms to my biography, is explaining how just taking part, living the dream, playing in a kid’s World Cup, being part of a team, dealing with difficult coaches.
“This last one – Indoor Super Skills! – (is about when) you don’t have the pitches, so how you train inside.
“I think the educational side of it was just something I was having fun (with). My kids are involved with the book, my daughter is one of the main characters, my boys, and my nephews.
“Now I’m retired I get to enjoy continuing to write my books, but also to help with the educational side with programs – not only in Australia but globally with big organisations.
“When I had this opportunity to talk about children’s books, grassroots (and) Unite Round, I think for me it’s very special because it’s a connection to the kids again, to sign some books, to give some out and to share my story.”
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