From first kicks to finals.
There's a team for every child.
MiniRoos for the little ones. Competitive juniors for the ones who are ready to step up. Ages 5–16, all levels, all welcome. Saturday mornings at Proctor Park.
The Junior Pathway
At Macquarie United, your child can start kicking a ball at five and still be pulling on the orange shirt at sixteen. That's not just a football program — that's a decade of mates, memories, and Saturday mornings that actually mean something.
We run two streams of junior football, and they flow into each other naturally:
MiniRoos (U6–U11) — the fun, non-competitive introduction to football where every kid gets a go, every week.
Junior Competition (U12–U16) — the step up into graded, competitive football with league tables, divisions, and finals.
No matter where your child is in that journey, the goal is the same: love the game, be a good teammate, and have something to look forward to every weekend.
This is where it all starts. MiniRoos is Football Australia's grassroots program for kids aged 5–11 and it's built around one idea: make football fun. Smaller fields, smaller teams, modified rules, and absolutely zero league tables. Just Saturday mornings at Proctor Park, a bunch of kids chasing a ball, and parents on the sideline pretending they're not more invested than their child.
Most kids who start MiniRoos have never played organised football before. That's the whole point — this is where they learn. And where they make the kind of friendships that start with sharing oranges at half time and end up lasting years.
MiniRoos — Ages 5 to 11
U6 & U7 — First Kicks
4-a-side on the field, no goalkeepers. Tiny fields, tiny humans, massive enthusiasm. The focus is on fun, coordination, and building confidence. Don't worry if your kid spends the first three weeks picking daisies, by the end of the season, they'll be the one screaming for the ball.
U8 & U9 — Finding Their Feet
7-a-side with goalkeepers. The field gets bigger, the games get longer, and the skills start clicking. Kids at this age start to understand positions, passing, and teamwork. They'll still celebrate every goal like they've won the World Cup. As they should.
U10 & U11 — Game On
9-a-side with goalkeepers. This is where things start to feel like "real" football. Bigger field, more structure, and the beginnings of tactical play. Kids are developing their own style, finding their position, and getting ready for the jump into competitive juniors.
Junior Competition — Ages 12 to 16
This is where it gets serious. Well, serious-ish. It's still Macquarie United — we're not running a boot camp — but junior competition is proper football. Full-sized fields (11-a-side from U12), match officials, league tables, and finals. The stuff they've been building towards since MiniRoos.
All teams stepping into competitive football will continue to have support from our coaching team and benefit from a program of mentorship from older players. Whether you’re child is aiming for the golden boot or new to football, we tailor training and support to build their skills and confidence.
What doesn't change is the culture. We still expect our players to shake hands, respect the ref, and look after their teammates. The orange shirt means something at every age.
U12 & U13 — The Transition
The jump from MiniRoos to junior comp is a big one — bigger field, more players, faster game. But kids who've come through the pathway are ready for it, and our coaches make sure the transition feels exciting, not overwhelming. This is where they start to find out what kind of player they want to be.
U14 & U15 — Finding Their Edge
By now, they know the game. Training gets more structured, tactics come into play, and the competitive side starts to matter more. These are the years where dedication shows — and where some of the strongest friendships in the club are formed.
U16 — The Final Junior Year
The last stop before seniors. Players at this age are developing real football maturity and many will be looking ahead to senior football. It's a big year, and we make sure they finish their junior career with something to be proud of — on and off the pitch.
What You Need to Know
Here's the practical stuff — no surprises, no fine print.
When do they play? Saturdays. MiniRoos are typically morning games. Junior competition games are also on Saturdays — exact times depend on the draw and are managed through the Dribl app.
Where? Proctor Park, Bathurst — our home ground. Junior comp is home and away across the Bathurst district, so some Saturdays you'll travel to other grounds.
Training? Once a week, one a Wednesday. Your coach will let you know the time, and location once teams are formed. It's usually a couple of weeks before the season kicks off.
What do they need? Football boots, shin pads (under the socks — compulsory), and a water bottle. Club playing shirts are provided. You'll need to grab black shorts — we'll point you in the right direction when you register. We provide socks for new players.
What does it cost? Fees are paid at registration through PlayFootball. They cover your BDF, Football NSW, and Football Australia fees plus club fees. The exact amount depends on the age group — check our registration page for current pricing.
Active Kids Voucher? Yes — we accept them. Apply yours through ServiceNSW during registration and it takes $50 straight off the fees. You’re able to use both vouchers to bring the price down even more.
How do I find out about draws and results? Everything lives on the Dribl app. Download it, find Macquarie United, and you'll have fixtures, results, and ground info at your fingertips.
FAQs
What age can my child start?
1
Kids can start MiniRoos from age 5 (they need to be turning 5 in the calendar year). Junior competition starts at U12 and runs through to U16.
Do they need experience?
2
Not for MiniRoos — most kids start with zero experience and that's completely normal. For junior competition, kids who've come through MiniRoos will transition naturally, but we also welcome players who are new to the club. There's a spot for every skill level.
What if my child doesn't know anyone?
3
They won't know anyone until they do — and it happens faster than you'd think. By week two they'll have a best mate they didn't have before. Our coaches make sure every kid feels included from the very first session.
Can they play with their friends?
4
We do our best to keep friend requests together when forming teams. Just note it during registration and we'll try to make it work.
No — there are no league tables, no finals, no pressure. The focus is on fun, participation, and development. Junior comp (U12+) is competitive with points tables and finals.
5
Is MiniRoos competitive?
My child is moving from MiniRoos to U12 — is it a big jump?
6
It's a step up, but kids who've come through the MiniRoos pathway are more ready than they think. The field is bigger, the game is faster, but the foundations are there. Our coaches ease them into it and the first few weeks are about settling in, not being thrown in the deep end.
Games go ahead in light rain. If grounds are closed, we'll let you know as early as possible through Facebook and team communications. Welcome to Bathurst football — a good rain jacket is part of the kit.
7
What if it rains?
I don't know anything about football — can I still help?
8
Please. Most of our MiniRoos coaches are parents who stuck their hand up. You don't need a coaching licence — just a willingness to show up and keep the kids having fun. We'll support you with resources and Football NSW run free coaching courses. For junior comp, we're always looking for managers, helpers, and people who can work a canteen roster.