MEET GARY KARAVELLAS, HEAD SOCCER COACH AT KICK START FC
Soccer Coach, Soccer Player, Soccer Parent
Hi, I’m Gary, founder and head coach at Kick Start FC. I’ve been a soccer player since I was a child myself – I played to a high level when I was younger and I still play today. I love the game and I love to share it with others.
I’ve invested time and effort to learn how to coach. I’ve completed the Foundations of Football course, plus I hold a Football Australia/AFC C Diploma.
HOW IT STARTED
Like so many parents, I got into coaching when my son started playing. His team needed a coach and no one volunteered, so I agreed to coach for the first year only. But it seems like I did a good job of it. I ended up coaching his team for 6 years - and then when my daughter started playing, I found myself coaching her team too, which I continue to this day.
MOVING FROM VOLUNTEER COACHING TO KICK START FC?
I’ve always connected with kids really well. If I go to a party with my own kids and there’s a children’s entertainment there, I’ll get more attention than the entertainment. Children are just drawn to me. Add in my love of soccer, the qualifications I’ve achieved and the years of experience with my children’s teams, and Kick Start FC was the obvious next step.
After six years with me as their coach, my son’s team needed some fresh eyes and a bit of a change, so I stepped back there. That gave me the time for Kick Start FC. (I still coach my daughter’s team though.)
MY COACHING PHILOSOPY
I’ve learned a lot about coaching over the years, both through my soccer coaching certifications and from the countless hours I’ve spent coaching. But for me, there are two simple things which come before all that expertise. Have fun and spend time on the ball. You see some programs out there where the kids spend a lot of time sitting, listening. Sometimes they’re lucky to spend half of their 45- or 60-minute session touching a ball.
Kick Start FC doesn’t operate like that. Our kids are fully engaged with a ball at their feet the whole time. It keeps them stimulated and interested. And as any keen soccer player knows, that time playing and practising is what helps them get better. So that’s what we do.
But it’s not all about football. I thought it was, when I started. Since then, I’ve realised there are other more important things. I’ve seen children who started off quiet, not talking to anyone, not engaged – but a few terms later they’ve changed. They’re more confident. They talk to the other kids, even passing on their own instructions. They make friends and they grow.
It’s not all about the next Messi or Ronaldo. It’s about the kids having fun, growing, and learning to love the game.
MY PLANS FOR KICK START FC?
I want to grow Kick Start FC so more children can enjoy football, but I’m not going to give up on the things which make it so good. The low player-to-coach ratio. The fun. The time on the ball. The connection. Those things are why families keep coming back, term after term. They’re why our programs fill up so quickly. To keep that low ratio and make sure things stay fun as we grow, I need more coaches. But I’m choosing them very carefully. That’s why I was so thrilled when Allegra agreed to come on board.
A bit about Coach Allegra
Allegra’s a mad keen soccer player herself – and an experienced coach for kids too. She’s young, she’s fun and she makes it so the kids have fun and learn at the same time. Exactly the Kick Start FC way!
CHECK OUT OUR PROGRAMS
Whether your child loves soccer already or has never played and is curious, we’d love to help them learn. About soccer, about teamwork, and about having fun.
All Kick Start FC soccer coaches are qualified, certified and experienced in coaching children. They hold current Working with Children Checks.