Matildas Star Runs Free Soccer Clinic for Youth in Armidale and Surrounds

Just over 100 kids in the New England region have had a chance to attend a free soccer clinic this week, run by professional players Kyah Simon and her partner Faye Bryson on Tuesday.

Kyah said that while they were only able to have 100 attendees this time, she hopes for more in the future. “We’re really looking forward to what’s to come, and looking at running these on a regular basis. Yeah, just really excited that we have a hundred kids – boys and girls – coming out for a fun day of football.”

Growing up in Western Sydney, Kyah understands that sometimes there aren’t a lot of opportunities for kids out there. “Coming from Western Sydney and from a city, there was opportunities few and far between, but then you think in country areas its even less than that.”

“Ao I think by having professional footballers like us, like Mark Bridge along with us, being able to show the kids that football is an option. I think just showing the kids how amazing the game is.”

Kyah, who is a striker for the Matildas, says they have a real opportunity to build upon the momentum from the World Cup. “It’s a real milestone moment, I think, for us to see what a FIFA Women’s World Cup can bring to the country, can bring to our younger generations, boys and girls.”

“It’s a matter of creating those opportunities, which is why things like this[…]is really important, and I guess doing our part as professional footballers is being able to give back to community and create an environment where kids can come out, have fun, and enjoy the game as much as we do.”