Funskills & U7s Development Program – 18-Week Season Overview

The 2026 season kicks off on Saturday, 28 March and runs across 18 weeks, delivering a balanced and engaging football experience that combines elite skill development with game-based learning.

This structured program is designed to maximise player growth, confidence, and enjoyment, while also supporting volunteer coaches through hands-on learning alongside accredited staff.

Program Structure: Skills + Game Play

Our 18-week program alternates weekly between coach-led skill development and small-sided match play, ensuring players develop strong technical foundations while enjoying regular game time.

• 9 weeks of structured skill-based training

  • Delivered by accredited Premier League-level coaches

  • Focus on ball mastery, movement, decision-making, and confidence

• 9 weeks of match play

  • Age-appropriate small-sided games

  • Designed to reinforce skills learned in training

  • Non-competitive environment (no scores or ladders)

This cycle continues throughout the season, providing a consistent and proven development pathway.

Session Details

• Location: Field 1

• Frequency: Every Saturday for 18 weeks

• Start Time: 8:00 am

• Arrival Time: Please arrive 20 minutes early for warm-up and organisation

  Weekly Format

  • Skill Weeks: Commence from Saturday, 28 March, running every second week

  • Game Weeks:

    • Four (4) × 10-minute matches

    • 3-minute breaks between games

    • Players rotate evenly to ensure fair participation

  Games are non-competitive, with no results recorded.

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  Match Play Guidelines

  • Teams of 9–11 players are split into smaller teams of 4–6

  • No goalkeepers required

  • Volunteer team coaches manage match play on game weeks

  • All players are guaranteed regular involvement and rotations

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  Player of the Week

  At the conclusion of each match weekend, coaches will select a Player of the Week:

  • The club supplies the trophy

  • The trophy must be returned the following weekend

  • Focus is on effort, teamwork, improvement, and attitude

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  Uniform & Equipment

  • Jerseys are supplied at Round 1 and must be returned at season’s end

  • New players can purchase shorts and socks from the Field 1 Canteen

  • Shin pads are mandatory for all sessions

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  BBQ & Canteen Duties

  • Weeks 1–5:

    • FunSkills and U7 teams are not rostered for duties

  • From Week 6 onwards:

    • One team rostered per week

    • 2 parents for BBQ + 2 parents for Canteen

    • Duty time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am

  This support helps keep the program affordable and community-driven.

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  Wet Weather Policy

  • Field closures are published on the Castle Hill United Football Club Website and Facebook page

  • Updates are usually made by 5:00 pm Friday

  • If raining on Saturday morning:

    • Fields reviewed at 7:00 am

    • Website and Facebook updated immediately

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  Field Layout & Setup

  • Field 1 is divided into 10 Small-Sided Game (SSG) fields

    • Fields 1–4: FunSkills

    • Fields 5–10: U7 teams

  Responsibilities

  • On match days, each team sets up their allocated field

  • Coaches award Player of the Week trophies at session end

  • Round 1: Club coaches manage all setup and pack-up

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  Field Access Rules

  For player safety and session quality:

  • Only players, coaches, and managers are permitted on the field

  • All parents and spectators must remain behind the fence