Within five years, Fulham United Soccer Club experienced a flourishing Junior Boys set up, as over 220 participants from U6 to U16 are currently playing at the club.

In 2007 a group of fathers with sons wanting to play club football approached the FUSC committee with the thought in mind of developing Junior Boys teams at Fulham. 

The club already fielded Junior Girls teams so the idea of extending the Junior program to include boys seemed a logical progression for Fulham.

Approval was given by FUSC and a Junior Boys committee was formed which consisted of Domenic Mittiga, Davide Franco, Barry Mann, Gary Matheson and John Harpas.

Junior Boys Delegate, Gary Matheson, admitted the massive growth in numbers is a remarkable milestone for the club who prides itself on its sense of community.

“It is a great achievement but not without a lot of hard work,” he said.

“Our focus was and still is on being a Community based club offering all children who want to play soccer the opportunity to do so. This was a major contributor to our rapid growth in the junior boy’s teams.”

A development squad of 25 boys was assembled for 2007 ahead of participation in the Football Federation SA Junior Premier League’s 2008 season.

In 2008, the club fielded three teams in the U10, U11 and U12 age groups, but struggled in the first year playing against already established teams. 

By 2009, Fulham fielded four teams running from U10 through to U13 and in 2010, the club had expanded to seven teams and over 80 boys – signifying a team in every age group from U8 to U14. 

There was also an influx of younger players so a development squad of five and six year-olds was established to cater for the increased demand. 

2011 saw further growth with a total of 16 teams ranging from the ages of U6 to U15 with a total of 180 boys playing and both the U13 and U14 teams went on to win their respective leagues as last year.

Matheson admitted the infant years were tough but through persistence and hard work the rewards followed soon after.

“Those years were a struggle but by keeping the boys positive, working on skill development and seeing team improvement we overcame this,” he said.

“The two teams that won their respective leagues last year - that was a proud milestone. It was very rewarding for all those players, coaches and parents involved at the club.”

“The most rewarding factor though was the development and improvement of the boys over this four year period through hard work and persistence.”

Currently in 2012 there are 20 Junior Boys teams competing in the FFSA Junior competitions, starting at U6  right up to U16. 

225 boys now play at the club, which is a remarkable achievement since the inception of the Junior Boys program in 2007 where the development squad consisted of just 25 boys.

Fulham United also boasts six Junior Girls teams with a strong link to the Adelaide Airport Premier League and Reserves side.

Senior players are working towards taking on coaching roles with the Junior Girls sides for the 2013 season to assist parents and volunteers currently coaching at the club, like Maria Femia who coaches her daughter Rose’s U11 White team.