A Czech soccer coach has started a new competition to inspire youngsters to develop self-esteem and leadership skills.
Martin Gres, who completed his masters degree in physical education specialising in soccer in 1993, moved to Australia in 2017.
His new project Fantasy Youth Champions League, which aims to connect parents and their kids through soccer, stems from the community bonding group Like Father Like Son, which he founded in 2021.
The first Fantasy Youth Champions League competition was held last month.
The 54-year-old says he wants to motivate children of all ages.
“I named it Fantasy Youth Champions League because every kid has a dream,” he said.
“We had 39 children aged six to 12 attend the games and another 15 showed up uninvited.
“The aim is to help youngsters stay away from nonsense and do something productive that makes them more resilient, confident and driven.”
Tracy Rouhan’s son Kai has been playing soccer for the last three years and has now joined Martin’s group, which is an offshoot of the First Touch Soccer Academy he founded in New York in 2010.
“When Kai started soccer he did not take it too seriously then once he started at Martin’s group he became more involved and wanted to know more,” Tracy said.
“His skills have improved so much and I think it has had a good impact on him.”
Martin, who also coached soccer in New York, has funded the games himself but they will soon be financed through donations.
“The idea is to create a social environment and the concept has been welcomed,” he said.
Last year Martin also started walking soccer for seniors as a way for older people to socialise. He is aiming to expand it to include special needs and women’s soccer.
“I want to promote a healthy lifestyle and limit people’s screen time by experiencing something positive,” he said.
Parents often volunteer as referees to ensure players are rotated but Martin said the aim was to limit the coaching aspect and just “have fun”.
“Ability does not matter, it is passion and drive that do,” he said.
“We want everyone to feel included and accepted.”
There are team and individual awards at the games, and every child receives a World Cup kit and a trophy.
The games are on Sunday evenings all year round at Baringa Sports Complex.
Mia Ludwig is a University of the Sunshine Coast Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) graduate.
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