Football (aka soccer), is often dubbed ‘the world sport’. Played by 250 million people in more than 200 countries, it is the most common sport for kids to play and the most popular sport on the planet.
As a global activity, football comes in many styles — one of the most admired being Brazilian. Now Sunshine Coast kids can learn this fun and skilful style of football through an expanding Brazilian soccer skills program.
“Football is a household activity in Brazil. Brazil has won the most World Cups,” says Cesar da Silva, founder and director of Brazilian Skills Soccer, Sunshine Coast. “Every child in Brazil grows up with the main sport being football.”
Born and raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Mr da Silva has always had a passion for football; he’s played his whole life for competitive local clubs in Brazil. His love for sports and teaching led him to complete his Physical Education and Sports Coaching degree in 2008. Since then, he’s become an expert in delivering early childhood sports programs and coaching football for all different age groups.
Moving to the Sunshine Coast four years ago with his wife and children, Mr da Silva has opened Brazilian Skills Soccer to share this knowledge and passion with the local kids.
“For me, starting Brazilian Skills Soccer is my dream coming true! Getting children started in sports from a young age has a huge impact in promoting an active and healthy lifestyle,” he says.
It also promotes lifelong benefits to their physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills.
What’s different about the Brazilian style of football?
In terms of the sport, there’s no difference between Brazilian football and the football played worldwide. Mr da Silva says it’s more the style and philosophy.
“Combining our teaching methodology and the Brazilian style with the Australian National Curriculum is what makes this program so great for kids.”
Most importantly, it’s all about fun!
“We create a fun environment in order to motivate the kids. When it’s fun, the likelihood of them all engaging in the activities will be much higher,” Mr da Silva says.
The core of the program is to maximise playing time and the kids’ contact with the ball.
“From age five, we pretty much always start the session with each child having a ball. We do some drills. They’ll be learning to master the ball — control, protect, dribble. Then of course, we move on to skills like passing, defending, positioning, striking and shooting,” he says.
“There’s no waiting or watching, or chasing the ball around. This is one main aspect of our program, which hugely differs from club football or competitions on the weekend.
“Of course, we incorporate the Brazilian style. Flairs, tricks, skill moves are all incorporated into our sessions as well, which the kids love!”
The Brazilian Skills Soccer program starts from around 20 months and goes to age 12.
“The preschool age groups focus more on general child development, including motor skills, coordination skills, cognitive, social, emotional skills as well and communication. These are the five core outcomes of early childhood development from the Early Years Learning Framework, ensuring our program is in line with the Australian Curriculum. Mini soccer introduces kids to the basic fundamentals of the game as well as early childhood development, like running with the ball, dribbling, striking the ball. As kids get older, we focus on more specific skills and gameplay.”
Sparking a lifelong love for sport
Whatever the style or activity, the most important thing about kids sport is sparking that lifelong love for fitness and activity.
“Though we are still quite new, we are already seeing that love of sport grow,” Mr da Silva says.
“We have some kids that had never played football when they started with us and they’ve gone on to join a local club and play weekend competition. They are really into it, which is wonderful to see.”
To continue that progression, Cesar da Silva has introduced an elite academy to the Brazilian Skills Soccer program.
“For the kids that are showing more potential, we invite to the new elite academy. We train those kids together. They’re all playing together at Coolum Football Club in the Football Queensland competition on the weekend. They are absolutely smashing it, so that’s so good to see a solid line of progression for the kids that have become more serious about the sport.”
Available football programs
Mini Soccer and Child Development Classes: Fun action-packed sessions for 21 months to five years
Soccer and Futsal Skills Development: Dynamic sessions for five to 12 year olds
School Holiday Camps: Keep your soccer star active during school holidays
Birthday Parties: Book a fun and memorable soccer party
1-on-1 Sessions: Individually tailored sessions
Academy – U7s to U12s: For talented players needing a more competitive environment
Goalkeeper Training: Master your goalkeeping skills
Where you can find Brazilian Skills Soccer
Buderim | Tewantin | Coolum | Nirimba | Bli Bli | Caloundra | Peregian Springs
