The inaugural SSFA 6 A-Side Football Competition Kicks Off on Sunday 18^th October, finishing on Sunday 20^th December 2020.

Register your team now!

Looking for a team?  Register as an individual player and we’ll find a team for you.

Individuals or Teams may register into one of the following age groups:

• Mixed 8s-10s
• Girls 11s-16s
• Boys 11s-16s (see table below).

**Register for SSFA mid-week Skills Training Academy as well and save 30% on the Skills Training Academy** https://shirefootball.com.au/ssfa-u6-u16-summer-skills-training-academy/

Important Information

• $100* per player for 10 weeks.
• (*to cover insurance an extra $10 will be charged to players that did not play club football in 2020)
• All matches are played on a Sunday.
• 20 min halves with a 3min half time.
• All games will be played on the Kareela Synthetic Fields.
• There will be no cancellations due to wet weather.
• Register based upon the age player will be at 31/12/2020 (current GSAP and SAP players will play in the competition one year above (EG. GSAP 9s register in 6 A-Side 9s but will play 6 A-Side 10s).
• Players wishing to play in the age group above must complete the Parental Consent Form. (Link to SSFA 6 A-Side Parental Consent Form)
• All players will register and pay individually online through PlayFootball. When registering players will be able to select their Team by age group and their team name or select age group and “No Team” to be allocated to a team.
• Teams must have a minimum of 7 players and maximum of 10 players.
• Uniform – players are to wear white shirt, black shorts and socks – coloured bibs will be provided each week.
• Active Kids Vouchers may be used and must be redeemed online when registering in PlayFootball. Note: Obtain your Active Kids Voucher before you commence registration.
• Players who register individually will be allocated to a team in their age group.
• Team Registrations will close at midnight 09/10/2020
• Player Registrations will close at midnight 14/10/2020

HOW TO REGISTER:

Team Registration

1. Managers/Coordinators, please Register your team via the below form providing all requested information.
2. You will receive an email confirming your team’s registration and next step instructions for you to share with your team members.
3. If you don’t have the minimum 7 please still register your team as we will match you up with individuals or another team not meeting the minimum.

Individual Player Registration

• All participants must register and pay online via PlayFootball.
• NOTE: Football NSW fees provides a “With Winter Discount” for participants registering to 6 A-Side summer football, who also registered to club football in 2020.  To receive this discount, you MUST register using the SAME football account used to register to winter club football.  If you need assistance with your football account details please call FNSW Online Services team on (02) 8814 4450 during business hours.
• Apply for your Active Kids Voucher before commencing online registration.
• Players looking for a team are to register via PlayFootball by clicking on the Register Here Link beside the applicable age group in the below table.
• Please select “No Team” from the Team Selection list while registering online.
• Players must provide a current passport sized photo when registering online.
• Once registered you will be notified of the Team Manager and Team that you have been allocated to and they will be sent your contact detail

Available Age Groups and Proposed Game Times:

Age Group       Year of Birth      Game Time

Mixed 8s          (2012)                  8:00am              Register Here Link

Mixed 9s          (2011)                   8:00am              Register Here Link

Mixed 10s        (2010)                  9:00am              Register Here Link

Girls 11s           (2009)                 9:00am               Register Here Link

Boys 11s            (2009)                 10:00am            Register Here Link

Girls 12s           (2008)                 10:00am            Register Here Link

Boys 12s           (2008)                 11:00am             Register Here Link

Girls 13s           (2007)                 11:00am             Register Here Link

Boys 13s           (2007)                 12:00pm             Register Here Link

Girls 14s           (2006)                12:00pm             Register Here Link

Boys 14s           (2006)                1:00pm                Register Here Link

Girls 16s           (2004)                1:00pm                Register Here Link

Boys 16s           (2004)                2:00pm               Register Here Link

If you have any queries please email academy@shirefootball.com

The post SSFA 6 A-Side Football – Juniors U8-U16 appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

The 11+ Kids warm-up was developed by FIFA to be a fun and effective protocol for younger players (under the age of 14) to learn to move well and build upon their fundamental movement patterns for sport. A large European study involving more than 4,000 kids showed an impressive injury reduction of about 50% in those teams practising the 11+ Kids as a warm-up (Rössler et al., 2018).

Set Up

One ball per player is needed. Depending on the ability, age and size of the team, the amount of space required can range from the size of the penalty area to half of a pitch. The coach should be standing in a position so all players can see and hear them clearly.

Levels

In each exercise group there are 5 activities of increasing difficulty. Coaches should only move players onto the next difficulty level when they have correctly performed the exercise in several successive attempts and when the coach only needs to make a few or no corrections.

The 7 exercises should be carried out in order and progressed relative to the age and ability of the group. Once individuals are capable of efficiently and accurately performing the movement, they can be instructed to move to the next level of difficulty.

Frequency

The program should be performed at least once per week to profit from an injury preventive effect. However, two sessions per week is recommended to further increase the protective benefit.

The 11+ Kids manual can be downloaded here.

If you have any questions regarding the 11+ Kids or FIFA 11+ programs contact Jubilee on (02) 9540 9400.
‘This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA’

The post 11+ Kids Effectively Reduces Injuries in Children’s Football appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. The brain moves inside the skull, and if the force is great enough the brain can move so that it strikes the skull causing potential bruising and cell damage.

Although concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head, they can also occur when the head and upper body are violently shaken. These injuries can cause a loss of consciousness, but most concussions do not. Because of this, some people have concussions and don’t realize it.

Concussions are common, particularly if you play a contact sport, such as football. But every concussion injures your brain to some extent. This injury needs time and rest to heal properly. Most concussive traumatic brain injuries are mild, and people usually recover fully.

Read Full Article at Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy

This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA

The post Management Of Concussion In Sport appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

The following tips will help you decide on the boot that is best for you.

 Upper

A lot of research has gone into developing the optimal combination of materials for use in the upper, the outside of the boot. For example, there are uppers which are designed to enable the player to add spin to the ball and there are uppers that incorporate chemical coatings to provide additional grip. The upper needs to be strong enough to support your foot during rapid changes in direction and when kicking.

Although generally more expensive, a leather upper will mould to the shape of your feet and is very durable meaning it will age well. The soft nature of leather means it is very comfortable. Although it is water repellent, it can still often stretch in wet conditions. Basic cow leather is a good choice for a sturdy, durable recreational boot. More costly is kangaroo leather which is becoming particularly popular due to its strength and ability to mould well to the foot, whilst remaining very light.

Synthetic uppers vary in quality at either end of the price scale. High quality synthetic upper is found on many modern football boots as it is strong, light and waterproof and are now made with advanced materials that rival the qualities of leather. However, some cheaper synthetic uppers may have a poor feel and will rip and tear easily under strain and tend to be found on boots at the lower end of the market. Combination leather and synthetic uppers are the strongest particularly when reinforced with ample stitching.

Heel counter

The heel counter or heel cup needs to be very rigid to support your rear foot during swerving & stepping. A sturdy deep heel cup can prevent injuries especially in young footballers.

Midsole

There are boots on the market that have midsoles or wedges under the heel providing some cushioning and support which is desirable for injury prevention. These are particularly good for young footballers that suffer from heel pain or ‘Sever’s disease’ or any player that suffers from lower limb injuries such as shin splints, Achilles tendonopathy and chronic knee pain. The extra bulk in this type of boot is the only downside.

Outsole

The outsole must be rigid and match the width of the foot. A narrow outsole will cause the foot to hang over the edge of the sole and place more pressure on the upper, which decreases the stability of the boot and is more likely to tear the boot. The outsole should only flex at the forefoot in the position that the toes bend under the ball of the foot, all other movement in the outsole should be minimal.

Moulded Vs Screw-In Studs

The type of pitches that you will be playing on make a significant difference to the type of boot that you should consider buying.

Ground conditions are normally classified as either soft or hard. Soft grounds require better grip so use of screw-in studs is suitable for use on soft, wet and muddy pitches. The studs are usually made from hard rubber although metal studs are available. Anyone who has had a knee reconstruction or suffers from instability in the knee joint should be careful not to use an aggressive stud design as the increased grip may cause the foot to remain stuck in the turf potentially leading to excessive twisting and injury. Use of screw-in studs on hard grounds is not comfortable as the footballer can feel like they are running on pebbles.

Moulded stud boots are better suited to harder grounds. They are designed for surfaces where there is limited give. Moulded boots are also usually used on artificial and synthetic pitches as they tend to not get stuck in the turf like studs do reducing the likelihood of twisting knee injuries.

It is important to make sure no stud or moulded cleats are positioned directly under the big toe joint which will cause discomfort and do not stop the boot flexing where it is supposed to – under the ball of the foot.

The ideal situation for the serious football player is to own a pair of boots for every condition. However, this can be pricey so the general player should buy a single pair of boots that that will suit the surface he or she most often plays on. Football in the Sutherland Shire is generally played on hard surfaces, therefore, a moulded boot is far more suitable and a lot safer.

A correctly fitted boot is an important factor in prevention and treatment of foot injuries. There should always be a thumb nail width from the longest toe to the end of the boot. There should also be adequate depth to ensure your foot sits securely in the boot.

Badly fitting boots are a recipe for poor performance and injury. A boot that is too big will allow the foot to move within it, ruining any chance of fine ball control, quick acceleration or manoeuvrability. A boot that is too small will be uncomfortable to play in and may result in foot damage.

Ideally, a football boot should fit the foot more snugly than a normal shoe, while still maintaining a high degree of comfort. If you are buying leather boots remember that the leather will stretch a little and then mould to your foot.

Perhaps most important is the comfort and feel of a boot. If a player does not feel comfortable, relaxed and at ease with the boot that he or she is wearing, then their performance will be directly affected.

Different manufacturers create boots with different foot shapes. Try on a selection of brands and models to find the one that best fits your foot.

Remember, suit the boot to the surface you most play on, look for an upper made from quality materials and, perhaps most importantly, spend as much time as you need to find a pair of football boots that fit perfectly.

Once you have bought your nice new boots it is important to look after them, if you want them to last as long as possible.

• Undo your laces before removing your boots. It’s a bad habit to take boots off with the laces left done up. This stretches the boot and can cause it to split.
• After playing, make sure you remove any mud that has stuck to the boots.
• Clean them with a damp cloth to remove any dirt.
• Put old newspaper inside the boot. This will soak up any moisture in the boot and help to maintain the boot’s shape.
• Always store the boots in the boot bag, and never leave them in a plastic bag where they will not be able to dry out and can become mouldy and rot.

For more information regarding football boot selection that is right for you contact one of the physiotherapists at Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy.

This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA.

The post Choosing The Right Football Boots appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

Symptoms
The symptoms of ankle sprain include:

Swelling, the ankle can swell in minutes or over several hours.
Pain in the ankle joint when trying to move it and when walking.

Acute Management
Suggestions for immediate treatment of an ankle sprain include:

Stop your activity.
Rest the injured joint.
Use icepacks every two hours, applied for 15 minutes.
Bandage the joint firmly with an elasticized bandage.
Raise the ankle above heart height whenever possible.
Avoid exercise, heat, alcohol and massage in the first 48 hours, as these can all exacerbate swelling.

Recurring ankle sprains
Some people suffer from recurring ankle sprains. This can be caused by a number of factors working in combination, including:

Ligament scarring and excess looseness, as a result of previous ankle sprains
Insufficient rehabilitation from previous sprains. This can lead to weak muscles surrounding the ankle joint. It can also cause decreased balance ability; this is called a proprioceptive deficit.

Professional help
If you are unable to take any weight on the foot at all, seek medical attention immediately. An x-ray may be needed to see whether a bone is broken.

If the pain from a sprained ankle that you are managing yourself has not improved after a day or so, it is best to seek medical advice and consult with a physiotherapist or health care provider to get an accurate diagnosis of the injury and suggest the most appropriate treatment plan.

Physiotherapy provides rehabilitation and support
Physiotherapy treatments may include:

Hands on therapy for damaged tissues
Exercise programs to improve mobility of the joint
Exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the ankle
Exercises to encourage balance training and improve the proprioceptive deficit which often is overlooked
Advice on taping and ankle braces for use during activity

Preventing ankle sprains
Suggestions to prevent ankle sprains include:

Warm up prior to exercise
Consider ankle braces or tape, as directed by your physiotherapist.
Take care when exercising on uneven or wet ground, especially in the first few weeks after a sprain.
Consult your physiotherapist for ankle strengthening exercises and exercises to improve your ankles proprioception.

This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA.

The post Dealing with Ankle Sprains appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

For an Early Bird or Late Night physiotherapy appointment please contact Jubilee on (02) 9540 9400.

The post Late Night Physiotherapy appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

Symptoms

• A sudden sharp pain at the back of the leg during exercise, most probably during sprinting.
• Pain on stretching the muscle.
• Pain on contracting the muscle against resistance.
• Swelling and bruising.
• If the rupture is severe a gap in the muscle may be felt.

Severity of a Pulled Hamstring:

Strains are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity. Grade 1 consists of minor tears within the muscle. A grade 2 is a partial tear in the muscle and grade 3 is a severe or complete rupture of the muscle.

Grade 1: What does it feel like?

• May have tightness in the back of the thigh.
• Probably able to walk normally however will be aware of some discomfort.
• Minimal swelling.
• Little if any pain on resisted knee bending.

Grade 2: What does it feel like?

• Walking will be affected, limp may be present.
• Occasional sudden twinges of pain during activity.
• May notice swelling.
• Site of tear will feel tender to touch.
• Flexing the knee against resistance causes pain.
• Might be unable to fully straighten the knee.

Grade 3: What does it feel like?

• Walking severely affected, may need walking aids such as crutches.
• Severe pain particularly during activity such as knee flexion.
• Noticeable swelling visible immediately.

Acute Management

It is vitally important that treatment for a pulled hamstring starts immediately following injury. The most important phase for treatment is the first 48 hours post-injury. Early management will have you back on the field faster. Suggestions for immediate treatment of a pulled hamstring include:

• Stop your activity.
• Rest the injured leg.
• Use icepacks every two hours, applied for 15 minutes.
• Bandage the thigh firmly with an elasticized bandage.
• Elevate the leg above heart height whenever possible.
• Avoid exercise, heat, alcohol and massage in the first 48 hours, as these can all exacerbate swelling.

Professional help

If the pain from a grade 1 hamstring tear that you are managing yourself has not improved after a day or so, or it is a more severe grade 2 or 3 tear, it is best to seek medical advice and consult with a physiotherapist or health care provider to get an accurate diagnosis of the injury and suggest the most appropriate treatment plan.

Physiotherapy provides rehabilitation and support

Physiotherapy treatment will depend upon the severity of the injury. Treatments may include:

• Hands on therapy for damaged tissues. Soft tissue therapy is excellent for reducing inappropriate scar adhesions while promoting faster healing conditions.
• Rehabilitation and strengthening exercises are used to rebuild the strength of the injured muscle in order to prevent re-injury.
• A stretching program can be started as soon as the pain and swelling subsides to encourage full range of pain-free movement.
• A core stability retraining program is highly recommended.
• Correction of any predisposing biomechanical misalignments (e.g. excessive forward pelvic tilt) and muscle imbalances.
• Provide mobility aids such as crutches

Preventing a pulled hamstring

Suggestions to prevent hamstring strains:

• One of the most important methods of preventing a pulled hamstring is to warm up. This should consist of some light aerobic exercise followed by dynamic stretching (stretching while moving) and sports specific drills.
• Consult your physiotherapist for hamstring strengthening exercises.
• Include hamstring stretches in your workout routine.

This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA.

The post Dealing with Hamstring Strains appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

The following tips will help you decide on the boot that is best for you.

Features to look for when buying a boot

Upper

A lot of research has gone into developing the optimal combination of materials for use in the upper, the outside of the boot. For example, there are uppers which are designed to enable the player to add spin to the ball and there are uppers that incorporate chemical coatings to provide additional grip. The upper needs to be strong enough to support your foot during rapid changes in direction and when kicking.

Although generally more expensive, a leather upper will mould to the shape of your feet and is very durable meaning it will age well. The soft nature of leather means it is very comfortable. Although it is water repellent, it can still often stretch in wet conditions. Basic cow leather is a good choice for a sturdy, durable recreational boot. More costly is kangaroo leather which is becoming particularly popular due to its strength and ability to mould well to the foot, whilst remaining very light.

Synthetic uppers vary in quality at either end of the price scale. High quality synthetic upper is found on many modern football boots as it is strong, light and waterproof and are now made with advanced materials that rival the qualities of leather. However, some cheaper synthetic uppers may have a poor feel and will rip and tear easily under strain and tend to be found on boots at the lower end of the market. Combination leather and synthetic uppers are the strongest particularly when reinforced with ample stitching.

Heel counter

The heel counter or heel cup needs to be very rigid to support your rear foot during swerving & stepping. A sturdy deep heel cup can prevent injuries especially in young footballers.

Midsole

There are boots on the market that have midsoles or wedges under the heel providing some cushioning and support which is desirable for injury prevention. These are particularly good for young footballers that suffer from heel pain or ‘Sever’s disease’ or any player that suffers from lower limb injuries such as shin splints, Achilles tendonopathy and chronic knee pain. The extra bulk in this type of boot is the only downside.

Outsole

The outsole must be rigid and match the width of the foot. A narrow outsole will cause the foot to hang over the edge of the sole and place more pressure on the upper, which decreases the stability of the boot and is more likely to tear the boot. The outsole should only flex at the forefoot in the position that the toes bend under the ball of the foot, all other movement in the outsole should be minimal.

Moulded Vs Screw-In Studs

The type of pitches that you will be playing on make a significant difference to the type of boot that you should consider buying.

Ground conditions are normally classified as either soft or hard. Soft grounds require better grip so use of screw-in studs is suitable for use on soft, wet and muddy pitches. The studs are usually made from hard rubber although metal studs are available. Anyone who has had a knee reconstruction or suffers from instability in the knee joint should be careful not to use an aggressive stud design as the increased grip may cause the foot to remain stuck in the turf potentially leading to excessive twisting and injury. Use of screw-in studs on hard grounds is not comfortable as the footballer can feel like they are running on pebbles.

Moulded stud boots are better suited to harder grounds. They are designed for surfaces where there is limited give. Moulded boots are also usually used on artificial and synthetic pitches as they tend to not get stuck in the turf like studs do reducing the likelihood of twisting knee injuries.

It is important to make sure no stud or moulded cleats are positioned directly under the big toe joint which will cause discomfort and do not stop the boot flexing where it is supposed to – under the ball of the foot.

The ideal situation for the serious football player is to own a pair of boots for every condition. However, this can be pricey so the general player should buy a single pair of boots that that will suit the surface he or she most often plays on. Football in the Sutherland Shire is generally played on hard surfaces, therefore, a moulded boot is far more suitable and a lot safer.

Fit

A correctly fitted boot is an important factor in prevention and treatment of foot injuries. There should always be a thumb nail width from the longest toe to the end of the boot. There should also be adequate depth to ensure your foot sits securely in the boot.

Badly fitting boots are a recipe for poor performance and injury. A boot that is too big will allow the foot to move within it, ruining any chance of fine ball control, quick acceleration or manoeuvrability. A boot that is too small will be uncomfortable to play in and may result in foot damage.

Ideally, a football boot should fit the foot more snugly than a normal shoe, while still maintaining a high degree of comfort. If you are buying leather boots remember that the leather will stretch a little and then mould to your foot.

Comfort

Perhaps most important is the comfort and feel of a boot. If a player does not feel comfortable, relaxed and at ease with the boot that he or she is wearing, then their performance will be directly affected.

Different manufacturers create boots with different foot shapes. Try on a selection of brands and models to find the one that best fits your foot.

Remember, suit the boot to the surface you most play on, look for an upper made from quality materials and, perhaps most importantly, spend as much time as you need to find a pair of football boots that fit perfectly.

Looking after your boots

Once you have bought your nice new boots it is important to look after them, if you want them to last as long as possible.

• Undo your laces before removing your boots. It’s a bad habit to take boots off with the laces left done up. This stretches the boot and can cause it to split.
• After playing, make sure you remove any mud that has stuck to the boots.
• Clean them with a damp cloth to remove any dirt.
• Put old newspaper inside the boot. This will soak up any moisture in the boot and help to maintain the boot’s shape.
• Always store the boots in the boot bag, and never leave them in a plastic bag where they will not be able to dry out and can become mouldy and rot.

For more information regarding football boot selection that is right for you contact one of the physiotherapists at Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy.

For more information regarding warm-up regimes specific to your sport contact one of the physiotherapists at Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy.

This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA.

The post Choosing The Right Football Boots appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

WHY WARM-UP?

The two key warm-up goals are to:

1. Prepare the athletes specifically for the training/competition to follow, both mentally and physically.
2. Minimise the risk of injury.

Preparing the body for exercise with a warm-up has several benefits including:

• Increased blood flow to muscles
• Faster delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to muscles
• Greater extensibility and elasticity of body tissues
• Allows joints to move more freely
• Psychological preparation for play

WHAT IS THE IDEAL WARM UP?
A good warm-up should incorporate the muscle groups and activities that are required during training or competition. The intensity of a warm-up should begin at a low level gradually building to the level of intensity required during training or competition and should be performed prior to the activity.
For most athletes, 15 to 20 minutes is enough. However in cold weather or at higher levels of competition the duration of the warm-up should be increased.

WHAT SHOULD A WARM-UP INCLUDE?

There is often confusion between stretching and warm-up. Stretching alone is not a warm-up; the warm-up must be active and dynamic to prepare the muscles for the forces involved. Stretching is only one segment of warm-up.

The warm-up should include:

• General aerobic exercise like jogging.

• Sport-specific exercise and drills that are likely to be performed during the training session or game e.g. a footballer can perform passing drills.

• Flexibility exercises or stretching. There is now less emphasis on static stretching during a warm-up. Instead, dynamic stretches should be performed to move the muscle groups through the full range of movement required in the activity being performed.

An example of a football specific pre-game warm up:

1. Light running (2 min)
2. Run throughs: forwards, backwards and sideways gradually increasing speed (2 min)
3. Dribbling and passing drills (2-3 min)
4. Dynamic stretching: including high knees, cross overs, heel kicks, walking lunges, and leg swings (controlled and not ballistic) (2 min)
5. Mini game situation drills (2-3 min)
6. Individual time: for players to address any areas of the warm up they feel needs additional time.

RESOURCE

F-MARC developed “The 11+”, a complete warm-up program to reduce injuries among male and female football players aged 14 years and older. This program can be downloaded from http://f-marc.com/11plus/.

For more information regarding warm-up regimes specific to your sport contact one of the physiotherapists at Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy.

This information is provided to Sutherland Shire Football Association by Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy as part of its commitment to Shire football and the SSFA.

The post Guide to Warming up for Sport appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.

They specialise in biomechamical analysis and provide hands-on individually tailored treatments with an exercise-based rehabilitation regime and have a strong commitment to ongoing professional development and practice the most current and proven treatments available.

Having worked with athletes from numerous sports and all levels of ability from World Champions to “weekend warriors” every Jubilee Sports Physiotherapy client will receive the highest standard of care.

426 Kingsway, Caringbah
Call: (02) 9540 9400
Kareela Practice
12 Freya St, Kareela
Call: (02) 9528 2200
Email: office@jubileesportsphysio.com.au
Visit: www.jubileesportsphysio.com.au

The post Official Physiotherapists to Sharks FC and the SSFA appeared first on Sutherland Shire Football Association.