In 2009, FFA in conjunction with Member Federations, Zones Associations and Clubs will continue the roll out of Small-Sided Games, now known as Optus Small-Sided Football. FFA is delighted to welcome Optus to the team, as the official partner of the Game Development Program, a key component of FFA’s national strategic framework to improve football at all levels of the game. In 2008 Optus Small-Sided Football was implemented in varying age groups to over 70,000 children in all Member Federations.

The feedback from the first full season of Optus Small-Sided Football has been extremely positive from Member Federations right down to the parents and supporters. The response to the smaller fields and reduced playing numbers with an emphasis on player development has been very encouraging. The clubs and parents of the children have seen that children are becoming better footballers and enjoying their football experience much more as a result of being involved and touching the ball more often. In the second year of the roll out, the education of this message and ensuring the Optus Small-Sided Football formats remain consistent from club to club and state to state are the main priorities.

Based on the feedback from 2008, there are two major changes to the playing conditions that clubs, coaches and parents need to note. These changes have been updated in all Optus Small-Sided Football Resources below and that have been distributed for the 2009 season. The changes are;

Restart after a goal – Under 6 – 8 age groups
For the Under 6, 7 and 8 years of age groups only, when a goal is scored, it is not a kick-off from the halfway line but a restart from anywhere along the goal line. A player for the team that concedes the goal places the ball on the goal line and can pass, dribble or kick the ball into play. The team that scored the goal retreats to the half way line and can move once the ball is in play.

Goalkeeper – Under 9 – 12 age groups
In under 9, 10, 11 and 12 years of age groups the goalkeeper is permitted to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands the goalkeeper is not permitted to kick the ball directly from their hands. The ball must be thrown or rolled from the hands or played from the ground with their feet.

In 2009 FFA is working very closely with all Member Federations to ensure Optus Small-Sided Football formats are implemented as a minimum in the Under 6 to 8 age groups. Due to the success of the 2008 experience, many Member Federations, Zones and Associations have accelerated this implementation process to include the Under 9, 10 and some up to Under 12 age groups or shown intent to do so in the following years. FFA fully supports the decision by the Member Federations that have chosen to accelerate the implementation of Optus Small-Sided Football. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the FFA STATEMENT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL

Member Federations will continue to lead the roll out of Optus Small-Sided Football throughout their affiliated zones, associations and clubs leading up to the 2009 season. The FFA, with Member Federations remain committed to successfully rolling out nationally consistent Optus Small-Sided Football formats and will continue to seek feedback to ensure the best football experience possible is given to all participants and their families form year to year.

The education of clubs, parents and players is vitally important to the success of Optus Small-Sided Football. With this in mind FFA has produced the following educational resources and methods to assist clubs in promoting and educating parents about the structure, rules and philosophy of Optus Small-Sided Football.

Optus Small-Sided Football Handbook
The Optus Small-Sided Football Handbook is a resource for clubs to assist them in the roll out of Optus Small-Sided Football. The Optus Small-Sided Football Handbook will be distributed to clubs through their relevant Member Federation from mid-January 2009. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL HANDBOOK

Optus Small-Sided Football DVD
The Optus Small-Sided Football DVD is a resource for clubs to assist them in the roll out of Optus Small-Sided Football. The Optus Small-Sided Football DVD educates clubs in philosophy, set-up and benefits of Optus Small-Sided Football as well as FAQ’s, Ambassador messages and training games. The Optus Small-Sided Football DVD (slightly edited from last year to reflect Optus Sponsorship) will be distributed to clubs through their relevant Member Federation from the end of January 2009.

Optus Small-Sided Football Parent Information Flyer
The Optus Small-Sided Football Parent Information Flyer is a resource to educate parents about the basic rules of Optus Small-Sided Football. The Optus Small-Sided Football Parent Information Flyer will be distributed to clubs through their relevant Member Federation from mid-January 2009. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL PARENT INFORMATION FLYER

Optus Small-Sided Football Poster
The Optus Small-Sided Football Poster is a resource for clubs to display at their fields (notice boards, canteens, registration desks etc.) or other places of interest to communicate the message about Optus Small-Sided Football. The Optus Small-Sided Football Poster will be distributed to clubs through their relevant Member Federation from mid-January 2009. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL POSTER

Optus Small-Sided Football Game Leader Resource *NEW*
The Optus Small-Sided Football Game Leader Resource is a resource that simplifies all the rules needed for beginning referees, parents, brothers, sisters etc. to be able to participate in Optus Small-Sided Football as a Game Leader. The game leader is used for games in the Under 6 – 8 age groups. The Optus Small-Sided Football Game Leader Resource will be distributed to clubs through their relevant Member Federation from mid-January 2009. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL GAME LEADER RESOURCE

Optus Small-Sided Football Instructing Referee Resource *NEW*
The Optus Small-Sided Football Instructing Referee Resource is a resource that simplifies all the rules needed for beginning referees, parents, brothers, sisters etc. to be able to participate in Optus Small-Sided Football as an Instructing Referee. The instructing referee is used for games in the Under 9 – 12 age groups. The Optus Small-Sided Football Instructing Referee Resource will be distributed to relevant clubs through their relevant Member Federation from mid-January 2009. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL INSTRUCTING REFEREE RESOURCE

Optus Small-Sided Football Coaching DVD *NEW*
The Optus Small-Sided Football Coaching DVD is aimed at parents coaching and supervising Optus Small-Sided Football Teams. It outlines the philosophy and planning of training sessions, tips for coaching and instructing children and easy to follow activities and extensions. The Optus Small-Sided Football Coaching DVD will be a free resource and its production has been delayed to ensure it falls in line with the the revision of FFA community accreditation coach education content and the philosophy of Optus Small-Sided Football. The DVD will be completed for distribution through Member Federations at this stage towards the end of the 2009 season. We apologise for this delay. All parents looking after an Optus Small-Sided Football team should look into the Grassroots Football Certificate, a short, practical course to give you all the tips needed. Information about this can be viewed at www.footballaustralia.com.au/coaching.

Optus Small-Sided Football Laws *NEW*
The Optus Small-Sided Football Laws is a resource that is a comprehensive list of the laws of Optus Small-Sided Football that show progression from the Under 6 to 12 age group. The Optus Small-Sided Football Laws can be downloaded for your information. Click on the link to download and view an electronic version of the OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL LAWS

Optus Small-Sided Football Club Practical Demonstrations
Member Federations, Zones, Associations and Clubs should conduct practical demonstrations of the Optus Small-Sided Football formats to compliment the distribution of the educational resources to volunteers and parents. These sessions, ideally conducted in the pre-season and during registration time, as well as towards the end of the season in preparation for the new format the following season should aim to practically demonstrate the benefits, laws and philosophy of Optus Small-Sided Football. These sessions should be an open invitation for all parents to come and have a look and ask any questions they may have in regards Optus Small-Sided Football. Club Coach / Junior football co-coordinator’s and education managers can conduct these sessions to ensure team coaches, managers and parents understand the Optus Small-Sided Football philosophy.

Optus Small-Sided Football and Goalkeepers
The issue of Optus Small-Sided Football and goalkeepers is addressed in this article - OPTUS SMALL-SIDED FOOTBALL & GOALKEEPERS by Rob Baan, former National Technical Director, Football Federation Australia.

The FFA through its Regional Participation Managers and Member Federations will continue to offer education sessions at association level for all clubs and parents to attend as required and can also get football specific staff and ambassadors to assist in the delivery of this message.

Football Federation Australia will commence a national media campaign that will commence in mid March on Optus Small-Sided Football, to compliment the great work already completed in this area by Member Federations. Zones, Associations and Clubs.

The FFA website will be used to post information and FAQ’s regarding Optus Small-Sided Football. Clubs and Parents are encouraged to use these resources to ensure the roll out of Optus Small-Sided Football over the coming years within Australia is successful and beneficial for all.