Legends FC is based out of the eastern suburbs of Surry Hills and is a step up for young kids to play and train with other players at a higher level.
The academy club has given these kids a chance to show off their skills and get a sense of what a tournament feels like.
It’s a big year for Legends FC as they double their teams from last year to four teams competing at KEEPUP Kanga Cup 2023 across the age groups.
Led by Lucas Pacheco, the U9’s are raring to give this competition a go, which is not something they are used to.
“So for them it’s a different style of game than what they used to play, which they do not play a competition. So, I think having the feeling of what it means, a game where goals count, goals conceded count,” Pacheco said.
“What they’re trying to achieve is they just create the teamwork together and the intensity of what the competitive game demands.”
Alongside their respective clubs, the kids train extra days of the week with Legends to better hone their footballing skills.
“They have the extra training with us on their academy, so the past few weeks we’ve just been preparing and getting ready for these tournament’s.
They train four days together throughout the week,” Pacheco said.
“They’re very excited. The first two games were already bit tough, but I think it was the excitement of the first game that was the best bit.”
Pacheco says across all the teams competing for Legends FC this week, enjoyment and working as a team is at the forefront
“They just have the fun of coming and for them that’s it. Just the camaraderie between them, they want to play different positions,” said Pacheco.
They’re starting to understand now how to play as a team, not just ‘it’s me, let me try and dribble everyone’, so they’ve been achieving very well so far.”
Words: Harrison Frater