My little boy had a go at soccer in under 6's as a 4 year old. Had no interest. Took up gymnastics instead. Told me he wanted to play league next year, then 2 weeks into the season said he wanted to this year.
He now plays for the Asquith Magpies in the Northern Sydney comp against The Berowra Wallabies, the Pennant Hills Stags, The Willoughby Kangaroos the Hills Hawks and the North Sydney Brothers.
It's fantastic. Really well organised, safe and fair. They focus much more on participation than competition, but it's still competitive. They don't have positions. At the play the ball, there has to be two passes before the defence line moves up.
He's in the bottom few players as far as skills and effect on the game. However, he's learning to work as part of a team, helping his mates out, not letting them down, developing gross motor skills, hand eye co-ordination, dedication, self control, the list goes on.
The gymnastics has helped him with balance and co-ordination. He's never going to be a great gymnast, or a great league player, but he's putting heaps into it and getting heaps out of it. (Never say never . . . .)
From 12 matches he's got 2 tries, 1 goal from 6 attempts, 6 offloads, made 3 genuine tackles and had a hand in 6 others. He gets 2 or 3 runs a game, and plays a bit of dummy half.
According to the medicare website it's the 9th or 10th safest kids sport, judged on injuries and hospitalisations. Safer than soccer, Aussie Rules, NETBALL!!! (REALLY bad for knees and ankles) and Union.
I can't say enough good things about it. He's loving it. It's been great for his self esteem, even though he's no star.
I played union as a kid but was hopeless and found it demoralising. I wish they had mod league and mini league when I was a kid. I would still have been hopeless, but I would have had more opportunity to contribute and feel a part of it.
