Now in the grip of winter, few people are thinking about running around outside in shorts and jerseys. But warmer weather is just around the corner. With it comes the craving to frolic and play, to tone up and get in shape.
Of all the sports to pursue when things warm up, football sits atop the list. But what kind of football are we talking about? Aussie Rules, sure, but also what the rest of the world calls Association Football. We usually call this game soccer, though there's some confusion over which name to apply, sometimes.
That's because our beloved footy is homegrown. Australians have known about the 'other' football game since the late 19th Century; it never really took off. Now, Australia takes part in global football initiatives like the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Homeless World Cup.
Slowly, Australian football enthusiasts are embracing soccer as an equal partner to Aussie Rules. Coaches from other countries intuited the change and have made their way to our shores. They brought with them their habit of calling the game they teach 'football'.
As you read through our selection of clubs, outlets and private coaches you can learn soccer skills from, don't mind all the name-switching. Sometimes you'll read 'soccer' and others, 'football' but we're talking about the same sport throughout. With that clear, let's talk about the benefits of soccer. And then, we'll point you to the places you can learn how to play soccer in Australia.
Why You Should Learn Soccer
As this soccer player demonstrates, the game is physically demanding. But it yields all the physical benefits a well-honed body earns. Like any athlete who practises a high-intensity sport, soccer players enjoy strong bones, a sound cardiovascular system and a well-balanced physique.
But playing soccer does so much more. Soccer players have a keen sense of spatial awareness and excellent body-eye coordination. Even as they sprint across the pitch, they analyse other players' positions and adjust their accordingly.
They cultivate amazing motor skills. It's not easy to control the ball while running full-out and dodging opponents who are forever trying to kick the ball away from you. Tiki-taka, the skill of short-passing the ball back and forth between players on the way to score a goal, is a perfect example of the gross motor skills soccer players master.
We could continue gushing about all the physical and cognitive benefits of soccer but we must also highlight how good soccer playing is for one's mental health. Nothing could beat the winter doldrums faster than getting out and running around the pitch!
On a more serious note, everything the science says is true. Moving your body releases mood-boosting endorphins. Besides all that, soccer is a team sport. You'll build solidarity with and empathy towards your teammates as a matter of course.
How Kids Learn Soccer
Adult soccer players develop analytical and cognitive skills when they learn to play soccer. Playing soccer as a child enhances those benefits, especially in kids up to eight years old.
These young soccer players learn valuable social skills, too. Skills like sportsmanship and fair play, and the importance of following rules. Playing soccer helps kids manage their emotions, as well. Rather than tantrums and fisticuffs, they resort to patience and communication to resolve conflicts.
Engaging a child in sports at a young age doesn't just help their cognitive and physical development. It also helps them build self-confidence and a good sense of their abilities. These aspects of soccer training help kids when they start school, as they begin to navigate society on their own.
That's why soccer franchises like Little Kickers offer lessons for kids as young as 18 months. This international 'active kids' company gives soccer lessons that look more like playtime than formal instruction. Don't let that deceive you.
Soccajoeys is an Australian-born soccer franchise that specialises in lessons for kids as young as two and a half. Your Mini-Joey's soccer-themed lessons will focus on balance and coordination, as well as learning social skills. Soccer training starts when kids are six; Soccajoey coaches train kids up to age 11.
Kids soccer companies have scaled-down balls and goals to make it easier for little feet to kick. The lessons are typically indoors, on a cushioned floor to prevent injury. But these kids' soccer lessons impart soccer skills all while helping players build their sense of balance and foot-eye coordination.
Where Adults Learn Soccer
When people think about soccer lessons, they tend to envision kids, eight years old and up, kicking soccer balls around neon-coloured pylons. But adults can learn ball skills and soccer techniques, too.
Around Australia, soccer clubs offer lessons to soccer enthusiasts aged 18 and up. You needn't aspire to be the next Maradona or Messi to qualify for soccer lessons. You only need a passion for the game and a willingness to learn.
As for kids' soccer lessons, so too for adult classes. You can find football franchises across Australia but they tend to be more local. For instance, The Football Factory is a New South Wales enterprise; you'll find five Factories in and around Sydney.
In Perth, Football Method International has soccer programs for players up to age 21. Soccer hopefuls older than that may sign up for one-to-one lessons with a private soccer coach. Before your sessions start, your coach will ask you why you're taking soccer lessons.
They're not being nosy; they need to know so they can tailor their instruction to your personal aims. If, indeed, you aspire to become a professional footballer, these coaches will set you on the pro track. They'll be just as happy to teach you ball skills and soccer techniques 'for fun', though.
If you're in or around Adelaide, you might investigate the Mastery Football Academy. This soccer training school offers a range of programs, some for the aspiring football player and others who want to improve their speed and strength. Mastery also has a girls-only program for players up to 16 years old.
Of all the adult soccer programs around Australia, Queensland has the most comprehensive. Football Queensland has a 'social soccer' program for men aged 35+ and women 30 and older. This soccer style, like walking soccer, is more relaxed. Players who've been off the pitch for a while needn't worry about stressing their joints or pulling a muscle when they kick the ball.
Local initiatives like these make it easy for adults to find soccer lessons and opportunities to play. These initiatives are a bit harder to find than kids' soccer classes, though. As beneficial as soccer is, it's a shame that soccer lessons for adults aren't as widely promoted.
Finding a Coach to Learn Soccer
All around the world, soccer enthusiasts practise their kicks and dribbles, doing their best to build soccer skills on their own. Many consider soccer something you're either good at it or you're not. Often, their passion for playing soccer wanes if they don't notice any skills improvements.
Considering all the benefits of soccer, giving up one's soccer dreams could harm them in more ways than one. Even if you just want to improve your game for the occasional match with mates, taking soccer lessons is a good idea.
The internet makes finding soccer lessons easy but, as noted above, most of the results a search returns are for kids' soccer lessons. That's great if you're looking for those but finding soccer lessons for grownups or other-abled soccer hopefuls is far more challenging.
Organisations like the Powerchair Football Association are putting directories together to help these soccer enthusiasts find resources. Other soccer initiatives, such as Football Victoria, are more advanced in promoting their initiatives.
Across Australia (save for Tasmania), the Play Football website is a brilliant resource for anyone looking for soccer lessons. This page invites you to choose which age group you fit in, and then presents you with a directory listing all the soccer clubs and lessons in your area. You may click on any club's name to find out if it offers lessons for both male and female players and get their contact information.
You may prefer one-to-one sessions with a private soccer coach. Many of the soccer clubs you'll find through Play Football offer private lessons. So do many of the clubs we mentioned throughout this article. You may also consider private soccer lessons with a Superprof soccer coach.
Superprof soccer coaches typically have vast experience playing and teaching this game. They tailor their lessons to the skills you want to learn. Your Superprof soccer teacher will want to know why you want to learn how to play football. That way, they can focus only on the skills you need to hone.
Finding a soccer teacher in Australia isn't hard. Local initiatives abound and soccer clubs are seemingly everywhere. These groups are generous about posting on social media and maintaining their websites; which makes it easy for you to find the lessons you're looking for. And Superprof soccer coaches and standing by, too, ready to help you reach your soccer goals.
Find the perfect coach for soccer fitness training on Superprof!
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