Family orientated club out of Bowral, NSW, Highlands FC have entered their first ever Kanga Cup competition this year. They have sent three sides down to Canberra including two U10’s and one U11’s in their debut campaign as they are hoping this will be the first of many visits.
A truly community focused football team who are thrilled to participate in an interstate tournament that’s larger compared to the events they have been traditionally used to playing in.
“They’re enjoying it, it’s their first time experiencing everything as we haven’t been in these big tournaments,” said Chris Packer, coach of Highlands FC U11 Plate squad. “We’ve only actually just started the SAP team in the last six months, so this is new to all of us, but it’s enjoyable.”
“We’re very family orientated at the moment, so everyone’s loving the new experience and loving it down here, even with the weather Canberra’s turned on.”
This year Packer and the community involved within Highlands FC have taken a committed approach to youth development and growing the club as much as they can. There is a clear and strong ambition for their entrance into Kanga Cup to help propel and increase their current size.
“This is just the start of it, we’re trying to build on what we’ve created so far in the last six months, and I suppose it’s sort of been two years in the building to get to this point and we just keep trying to grow from here,” expressed Packer.
“We’ve only got six teams at the moment in the club, so we’re trying to build that so we can follow it through from juniors up through to opens teams and hopefully get some girls teams happening next year which is our plan now, that’s our big push, let’s get some girls teams and then develop that into all age teams.”
Having established in 2009, Highlands FC are a young club with determined aspirations of expanding their operations but are adamant that their introduction to the Kanga Cup this year is more about enjoying and familiarising themselves with the entire process.
“We want them just to enjoy the whole experience, I mean how many times do you get to play a tournament for a week?” commented Packer. “Yeah, just enjoy this one, because we haven’t done it before so the whole club is just seeing what it’s all about really.”
“Even off the field, I think it’s just a life experience for them, it doesn’t matter what sport it is, it just so happens that these boys are here for soccer, but I think it’s just great to see so many kids out here playing a sport,” Packer shared.
Packer’s team face off against Wakehurst, Belnorth and Brindabella in their remaining three matches.
Words: William Rumgay
