GAME OF DREAMS

Football inspires and fulfils dreams. From the grassroots level to that of elite professional, every player, coach, referee, spectator and club official looks forward to what can be achieved throughout the season. Apart from the anticipation and joy of individual and team successes, football has much more to offer.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has researched and identified the benefits of football. These apply to everyone - regardless of your skill level, training, age or gender.

Playing 45-60 minutes of football twice to three times weekly:

• It will greatly improve your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal function.

• It’s associated with improved psychological well-being and mental health.

Football also has other benefits:

• It unites people of every age, gender, language, culture and religion.

• The health benefits it provides are of value to healthy players and also to those with a variety of medical complaints.  

• It is a powerful tool for bringing about social change. Educational messages linked to football such as “FIFA 11 for Health” which was implemented at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, was developed to educate school children about common health issues.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF FOOTBALL

• All players can benefit from a pre-season chiropractic check-up to ensure any joint misalignments are corrected prior to intensive training.

• Those players with existing medical conditions should have a check-up with their GP.

• Respect the Laws of the Game. This is the most effective way of reducing injury and making the game safer for everyone. The laws are designed to protect players and officials.

• Please follow this link to the Resources for Footballers page on my website for advice on skill and fitness training.

IN SUMMARY

The benefits of the game to individuals can range from elite players being transferred for hundreds of millions of dollars through to Saturday morning in Sydney benefits which include:

• For players: something to look forward to, discuss and train for through the week.

• For club officials, coaches, referees: contributing to the well-being and development of young players and helping them to function as team members.

• For spectators/relatives benefits vary from watching great games, enjoying a sausage sizzle in the warm Winter sunshine, through to having an opportunity to invest heavily in the latest football boot technology.

All of these benefits promote physical, psychological and social health.