Club News and Updates
Kyneton Scores Big with Football Australia Club Changer Program
The Kyneton District Soccer Club is celebrating a remarkable achievement as they proudly announce their successful completion of the Football Australia Club Changer Program's Women & Girls module. This accomplishment has earned the club a well-deserved 1 Star Rating and has ushered in a new era of success, inclusivity, and growth.
Breaking Barriers and Driving Change
The Kyneton District Soccer Club's commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse football community has been unwavering. Participating in the Football Australia Club Changer Program was a natural progression for the club, enabling them to enhance their initiatives for female footballers of all ages. The Women & Girls module provided valuable insights and resources to create an environment where every aspiring female footballer could thrive.
Benefits to the Club
The completion of this program has brought a plethora of benefits to the Kyneton District Soccer Club:
1. Increased Female Participation: The club's engagement with female footballers has seen a significant boost, with more girls and women joining the ranks through targeted action. This has not only strengthened the club but also provided an opportunity for female players to develop their skills and passion for the game.
2. Community Engagement: The club is now further embedded in the broader local community, with more families and supporters showing their support, furthering the club's membership and visibility.
3. Record-Breaking Membership: The Kyneton District Soccer Club has witnessed unparalleled growth, with participation numbers eclipsing a total 600 for the first time ever in 2023. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the club's commitment to diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity, providing more options for more people of all ages and genders to play the game we all love.
Looking Ahead
Our committee and volunteer's dedication to promoting female football and inclusivity has not only improved the club's dynamics but has also had a profound impact on the community. The future holds even more promise as the club looks forward to enhancing their rating through continued participation in the Football Australia Club Changer Program.
In an era where female football is reaching new heights, the Kyneton District Soccer Club is not just keeping up with the change but driving it. With increased membership, more engaged players, and a stronger community connection, the club is poised for even greater achievements in the years to come. The 1 Star Rating achieved through the Football Australia Club Changer Program is just the beginning of a bright future for the Kyneton District Soccer Club.
MiniRoos Kick Off is Back For Summer
The KDSC MiniRoos Kick Off Program is back for summer running as a fun, safe introductory program designed for new players aged between 4 and 10.
Weekly sessions build skills through games and simple drills delivered in an engaging and inclusive environment. Every player gets plenty of time on the ball and the prime aim of each session is for children to build fundamental motor skills.
Each child also receives a MiniRoos Participant Pack when they register – which includes a bag, ball, sticker sheet and an activity book.
Welcome to 2023
Welcome everyone to Season 2023. What a year this looks to be for the club. As you are probably aware Barkly Square is undergoing major works with full resurfacing of the playing surface. Works commenced mid-December with the spraying of the grass and turf removal. New irrigation is currently being installed with drainage works to commence in early March followed by re-seeding of grass shortly after.
While this is an exciting project that will see the club able to train and play all year round without the ground become unusable (due to the excessive water problems we have had in the previous years) - it has also thrown up challenges for the club.
The Committee has been working tirelessly with Macedon Ranges council along with other sporting clubs since the end of last season in an endeavour to find us a suitable venue for this year.
With most teams having started training you are no doubt aware we are having to use different venues such as Kyneton High School Oval and Racecourse Reserve in Woodend. Matches this year will also not be played at Barkly Square with the Under 12, Under 10, Under 9, Under 8 and Under 6 & 7’s all playing on Kyneton Showgrounds Lower Oval, with the Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and senior teams all playing at Racecourse Reserve.
The use of multiple venues means more challenges for the club, with our committee and volunteers being stretched to their limits. With the challenges of COVID19 now behind us, the club is extremely grateful for the support and faith shown by our families in returning which saw our club grow, and early indications that this is continuing this year.
With all that said, the club would like to ask if you could all be patient and understanding and support us throughout this year as we wait to return to Barkly Square next year. As parents and supporters we will need your help this season more than ever before, we will need more volunteers to assist on game days at the different venues with setup, pack up etc. Please contact the club or a committee member to offer your assistance and become involved.
I wish all players, parents and supporters an enjoyable 2023 season and look forward to seeing you all throughout the year.
Ron Cole
President
Football Victoria 2021 Regional Club of the Year
In November 2021 the Kyneton District Soccer Club was the recipient of a prestigious Community Award from the State Sporting Body, being announced Football Victoria's Regional Club of the Year.
This award recognized all the hard work of the volunteers and committee, on the back of a second COVID19 effected year, to position the KDSC as a fully inclusive football Club which prides itself on being a home for people of all abilities, cultures, genders, orientation and age groups.
The Club was commended for its commitment to inclusion, striving for 50/50 gender representation at committee level and the considerable efforts put in to sustainably growing female participation in the region. Our female program has grown by more than 100 participants in the past 8 years, now representing 42% of the club's overall player base.
Additionally, the KDSC supported our people by providing access to full first aid training and up-skilling our coaches through formal FA qualifications to go above and beyond to support the community and improve our Club.
The KDSC would like to take this opportunity to thank Football Victoria for this award, and extend our gratitude to our sponsors, members, volunteers and families for making this Club a great place for the entire community.
Football Australia 5 Star Rating
Football Australia has established the National Club Development Program (NCDP) to provide a clear model to develop and maintain a successful football club, and raise the overall standard of club administration and operations at all levels of the game.
On the back of years of hard work the KDSC has been recognized as the first ever 5 Star Club in Regional Victoria.