Junior Football in the Southern Highlands
Football is where the journey starts.
Every young player should have the opportunity to discover how good they can become. But we believe that journey is about more than what happens with a ball at their feet.
Football gives children opportunities to challenge themselves, work with others, build confidence, respond to setbacks and discover what they are capable of as players and as people.
Based in Mittagong in the Southern Highlands and competing in the JPL – JPL Australia, ARETE Football provides junior football for U8–U13 players, creating an environment where children are known, challenged and supported as they develop their game and find their own path through football.
Excellence · Character · Potential
Discover ARETE Football
There is more to choosing where your child plays football than finding a team or somewhere to train. How they are coached matters. The environment matters. The football they experience matters. And so do the opportunities they have to challenge themselves and discover what they are capable of.
Discover the different parts of ARETE Football, what we provide and the opportunities available, then decide whether it feels like the right place for your child to continue their football journey.
Junior Teams & JPL Australia
Football should be something children look forward to, and something they care about.
Our U8–U13 teams compete through JPL – JPL Australia, giving players regular competitive football together with access to tournaments, representative opportunities and experiences beyond the weekly game.
ARETE teams are encouraged to compete with purpose and play with passion and togetherness. Competition gives players the chance to test themselves, make decisions, respond to challenges and put their learning into practice, while never forgetting that junior football should still be about developing, enjoying the game and wanting to come back for more.
Player Development
Development doesn't look the same for every child.
We provide players with the coaching, tools, feedback and challenges to help them develop their technical ability, understand the game and become more confident making decisions for themselves.
But the work belongs to the player, and so does the progress.
We don't believe today's ability tells us everything about tomorrow's player.
So the question isn't simply: “How good is this player today?” It's also: “What could they become?”
Training & Environment
Training should be somewhere children want to be.
Sessions are active and full of football, with plenty of time on the ball and opportunities to play, compete, solve problems, make decisions and try things for themselves.
There will be hard work. There will be mistakes. There should also be laughter, friendships and the enjoyment that comes from being part of a team.
Players should leave training knowing they've worked hard, tried something, learned something, and looking forward to putting their boots on again.
The Way We Coach
How a child is coached matters.
ARETE coaches are expected to teach, challenge and maintain high standards. But coaching children also carries a responsibility that goes beyond organising a training session.
We expect our coaches to know the children they coach, understand when they need challenging and recognise when they need support.
And we expect our coaches to reflect on themselves too. One question sits at the heart of our approach:
“What does it feel like to be coached by me?”
Could ARETE be right for your child?
Choosing where your child plays football matters.
If you're looking for an environment where your child will be known, challenged and supported, where they can enjoy their football, work hard, take ownership of their development and discover what they are capable of, we'd love you to discover more about ARETE.
Because ultimately, ARETE should feel like the right place for them, not simply the right choice for you.
Find out about upcoming trials and opportunities to join ARETE Football.