2024 represents a landmark year for Sydney club Earlwood Wanderers FC (EWFC), celebrating ten years since the inception of its ‘Little Wanderers’ program aimed at helping juniors develop a love for football.
The program, which began in 2014 as an initiative of the club’s Committee, was designed to bring together boys and girls aged between 2-5 and give them a basic understanding of football in a fun and age-appropriate environment.
It has operated as a weekly initiative on Saturdays and has been supported by certified and supportive coaches, focusing on developing fundamental skills, building teamwork as well as instilling a passion for the sport.
Various young players from the inaugural class credited the program as integral to their development, appreciating the pressure-free environment that differed from being in a team and playing official matches.
The program has served the club and its participants well, with numerous juniors from its inaugural class still part of the team to this day and having great successes.
One junior, Ethan, remarked that the latest 2023 season was among his favourite memories with the club as his team “had an undefeated season, won the Premiership and then went on to experience Champion of Champions”.
Elliot concurred with this, stating the latest season saw them win the Minor Premiership on the last day of the season to qualify for the Champion of Champions tournament.
“That was a great experience and we made it through to the third round but unfortunately lost to one of the eventual finalists,” he said.
Another player, Mary, said her “most memorable experience at EWFC was winning the Grand Final in 2022 and winning the Best Team of the Club Trophy, which was named after my late uncle”.
Jake is a player that has grown tremendously with Earlwood since being a junior, having played with the club’s 1st Division side since 2018 while also acting as a referee in 2021.
“I have been very fortunate to have had great coaches and teammates who have supported me over the years. I love playing for Earlwood Wanderers – it’s a great Club that has a lot to offer the younger players in terms of sporting opportunities,” he said.
Andreas, who now serves as a Game Leader and referees for U8s through to U12s, said he loved “playing with my teammates who I am still friends with, and attending Gala Days and playing matches all day.”
The club’s Committee stressed their immense pride in these “fine, young, talented players who have made Earlwood Wanderers their ‘home away from home’ on weekends”.
EWFC President Tamara Mulroney noted that:
“It is testament to the dedication of the Club, its coaches, managers, and volunteers that players, once starting as a small child in the Little Wanderers program, continue to play sometimes up until senior levels and feel comfortable while doing so.”
She added the pleasure in seeing many of the team’s players register their own children in the Little Wanderers program, strengthening the community bond at the club.
