Vibe Football’s Winter Camp Gives Lane Cove Kids Three Days of Football, Fun and Fresh Air

There are a few points in the school year when most parents can feel things starting to wobble.

The start of the year can be a bit bumpy as everyone gets back into routine, but by the time the winter holidays roll around, it is a different kind of tired. The mornings are colder, the school weeks have stacked up, the kids are worn out. A charming combination for the whole family.

And then comes the school holiday question every parent knows too well: “What are we doing today?” Usually asked before coffee.

That is why a good outdoor holiday program can be such a sanity-saver. Even in winter, maybe especially in winter, kids need to run, move, burn energy and get out of the house. A few hours on a football field can do wonderful things for everyone’s mood, including the mood of the adults waiting at home.

For many local families this July, the answer could be three days at Blackman Park.

Vibe Football has opened registrations for its Winter Holiday Camp, running across the first week of the break at the Blackman Park synthetic field in Lane Cove West. It is the kind of school holiday plan that ticks a few boxes for parents. The kids are outdoors, active and properly worn out by the end of the day, but they also come home having learned something.

If you are quick, early-bird pricing is available until 12 June, bringing the camp down from $350 to $299. Vibe Pass members receive a further 15 per cent off on top of that.

More Than a Kick-Around

Plenty of holiday programs will keep a child busy for a day. What sets Vibe Football apart is that the “keeping busy” part is really only the beginning.

The Vibe approach is built around helping young players become confident, creative decision-makers who genuinely enjoy the game. Their coaching is guided by five values the team talks about often: passion, courage, collaboration, expression and enjoyment.

On the field, that means sessions where kids are challenged, encouraged to make choices and given the confidence to try. Behind the scenes there is a clear coaching method, but for the kids it feels like what good sport should feel like: fun, active, social and full of football.

It also helps that Vibe is a local outfit, not a travelling holiday program that arrives for a few days and disappears. Vibe trains week in and week out in Lane Cove, including at Blackman Park and Pottery Green Oval, with coaches local families come to know by name.

For Every Family, Whether Your Child Plays Club Football or Not

One of the first questions parents often ask is whether their child needs to already play weekend soccer to join in.

The short answer is no.

You do not need to be signed up to a local club to come to Vibe Football, and your child does not need to be the next Matilda or Socceroo either.

If your child already plays for a local club, Vibe works alongside that. The Academy and holiday camps are designed to complement club training, giving players extra time on the ball, more touches and the chance to build confidence in a supportive environment.

If your child has never laced up a pair of boots before, they are just as welcome. The camp is open to children aged 5 to 13 and all levels are welcome. The coaches are used to meeting nervous first-timers exactly where they are.

The Lane Cove FC Connection

Many local families first hear the Vibe Football name through Lane Cove Football Club, and there is a genuine partnership there.

Vibe runs Lane Cove FC’s Pathway Program for representative players, including the NSFA Junior Development League for mixed teams aged 8 to 11, the Diamond League for girls aged 12 to 18 and the Super League for boys aged 12 to 18.

It means some of the club’s most committed juniors receive specialist coaching as part of their development, and it is a good example of how Vibe fits into the local football community. They are not there to replace club football. They are there to help young players grow alongside it.

Four Ways Into the Game

The Winter Camp is the main focus these school holidays, but it is one of four programs Vibe runs throughout the year.

The Academy is Vibe’s year-round training program for players aged 5 to 15, running up to 49 weeks of the year. Sessions are split by age and stage, from younger players building the foundations and a love of the game, through to older players working on game intelligence, creativity and one-on-one skill. Families can start with three free trial sessions before committing, with weekly and twice-weekly memberships available.

Private Training is for players who would benefit from more focused attention. These sessions are run in small focus groups of one to four players and can suit a child chasing a specific goal, building confidence or wanting to work on a particular part of their game.

Holiday Camps are the school holiday option, with three days of games, team challenges, tournaments and plenty of football.

Seniors 18+ is a reminder that football is not just for kids. Vibe also offers a Women’s Skills Training program for women 18 and over who want to build skills in a social and supportive setting, plus a Men’s Match-Fit program for over-30s wanting to keep their touch and fitness sharp.

What the Winter Camp Looks Like

The camp days combine Vibe’s training sessions with team-building challenges and friendly tournaments, from one-on-one battles through to six-a-side games.

Each day, two campers are recognised with a prize for showing the club’s values. It is a nice touch, especially for children who might not be the most experienced footballer in the group but turn up with the right attitude, effort and team spirit.

How To Register

Registrations are open now through the Vibe Football holiday camps page, and the early-bird window closes on 12 June.

If a Vibe Pass membership makes sense for your family, you can sign up for Vibe Pass first and bring the camp price down further.

For a chat about which program might suit your child, or to organise a team booking, call Vibe Football on (02) 8530 6788 or email [email protected].

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