Northern NSW Football will use the FIFA World Cup™ to encourage more kids to play football via a series of primary school gala days this November.
Over 2,600 students, from 81 schools, across 12 locations, will participate in the Newcastle Permanent Primary School Gala Day series starting Wednesday 16 November.
Ross Hicks, Community Football Manager, Northern NSW Football explains the gala days are “an opportunity to get more kids playing football at a time when our sport is in the headlines. We have planned the gala days to coincide with Australia’s FIFA World Cup games and we hope to convert this hype into more MiniRoos players in 2023.”
“The interest from schools has been incredible. We have over 400 teams registered for these fun and welcoming events that will ignite kids love of football into the future,” Hicks said.
Capitalising on the World Cup Effect
The FIFA World Cup™ has traditionally had a positive impact on grassroots football participation levels across northern NSW. 2022 and 2023 represents a unique opportunity with both the men’s and women’s World Cups within six months of each other.
David Eland, Northern NSW Football CEO understands what this opportunity represents “We have a once in a generation chance to get more people into our game. Millions of Australians will be watching the Socceroos in Qatar and the Matildas at home in 2023. This is our chance to encourage parents to register their kids to play football and something we have been planning for,” Eland said.
Marketing the world game to future Socceroos and Matildas
Northern NSW Football has been working with Football Australia to implement integrated marketing and communications campaigns that will support in person opportunities.
The 2023 PlayFootball campaign aims to increase junior football participation to pre-pandemic levels using a mixture of traditional and digital tactics.
General Manager of Marketing and Communications, Northern NSW Football, Mike Collins explains “We have created a campaign targeting parents of primary school kids that features current Socceroos and Matildas.
Themed “Find Your Place” the campaign speaks to what is great about football and why it’s the perfect sport for kids to play. It’s safe, delivered in a family friendly environment, keeps kids active and helps them make new friends,” Collins said.
The PlayFootball campaign will be launched before the FIFA World Cup™ and continue until April 2023.
Support for community clubs a Northern NSW Football priority
According to Collins community clubs are the most trusted brands within football and need solid support to promote football to new audiences.
“We have been keeping community clubs updated through the marketing planning stages, asked for feedback and have delivered a suite of assets and resources that can be used to attract more players, coaches, volunteers and referees,” Collins said.
To access recruitment resources and assets visit the Northern NSW Football website.
