RFI Initiation Program

Designed for players who are starting their football journey, this program provides a fun and engaging way for kids to take their first steps in our sport.

Register your interest

For players aged 4-6 years old

Age and level-specific planning, providing the right challenge to each player according to his/her development stage.

Fun Intro to Sport

While developing mental and motor skills for the long term, players are introduced to the basics of the sport, setting them up for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Try it Out

New players can try the program with their first session free to see if they are comfortable with the activity and would like to continue.

What to expect

Get started in football and advance quickly

The activity runs alongside our other programs, running for 10 months from early February to late November. We have 2 established groups:

First Steps

For the players with minimum or no exposure to the sport.

Advanced

For the players who are ready for the next challenge.

Program features

Age and level-specific planning

Providing the right challenge to each player according to his/her development stage.

Once-per-week training

With sessions lasting between 60 to 75 minutes (at coaches’ discretion).

Free 2 session trial

New players can try the program for 2 sessions to see if they are comfortable with the activity and would like to continue.

RFI professional coaching staff

The Program is run by the RFI professional Coaching Staff involved in the Development Program.

Development Plan

Designed to support young players

Training has been designed to support the development of all players and will focus on:

  • Helping players explore their motor skills and develop them via natural interactions with the environment through games and fun challenges.

  • Improving the children’s gross motor skills and general coordination, in line with their own growth and maturity.

  • Introducing players to the basics of the sport (basic rules and principles such as scoring goals, ball exiting the pitch, and 1v1 challenges).

  • Developing the key trainability skills and basic sporting discipline, including learning how to be a part of a team.

  • To provide cognitive development opportunities in regards to focus or attention management (capacity), creativity and self-exploration.

Information & details

Venue

Gladstone Park Reserve Gladstone Park, VIC, 3043

The Gladstone Park Community Centre is located on South Circular Road, and hosts a number of community bodies, such as the basketball club and mothers' groups.

Get directions

Schedule

Saturdays - 9 am to 10.15 am

Starting date

Friday 11th February

End date

Friday 25th November

There might be a session or two which may need to be cancelled based on the availability of the Coaching Staff and their commitments with the RFI Development Program teams (i.e. attending regional or national tournaments). These sessions will be rescheduled so as to ensure the provision of the total amount of sessions per term.

Register today to start your football journey with RFI!

If you are interested in speaking to one of our coaches about RFI and the various programs on offer, please register your interest and we will get in touch with you.

Register your interestPlease allow 24-48 hours for our team to get back to you

Frequently asked questions

How is the RFI Development Program structured
  • Fundamentals: for Under 7 to Under 9 groups.
  • Development I: for Under 10 and Under 11 groups.
  • Development II (Intro to Full Pitch): for Under 12 and Under 13 groups. Each stage within the program builds on specific objectives that are relevant for each phase of the children’s development.
What is RFI’s approach
  • Constant Challenge: our coaching is planned in a way in which players are always facing new challenges and demands, keeping them on their toes and working hard for their goals at every step of the way. Mental strength is an important component of our program.
  • The Learning Environment: players will find a welcoming yet challenging atmosphere, in which discipline meets enjoyment and the desire to learn brings values and a competitive mentality.
  • The Individual Approach: at RFI we believe that each child should have a plan for their own development path. Our mentality is to focus on the individual within the team setting and in a game environment.
What makes RFI different?
  • Our main difference is that we take a program-centred approach: everything we do is to provide the best possible program for our children. Every effort and every cent goes directly into the players.
  • We have a strong, unique identity and philosophy which are reflected in how we work and how we play. Our club culture and our values makes us distinct from every other football organisation.
  • At RFI we take pride in doing our best to implement the most modern player development methods. Our coaches are always being instructed in new high-level active learning techniques which have been applied successfully in Belgian, Dutch and Spanish clubs.