The first of a planned thirty Cottee’s 5-a-side Gala Days was held at Ormiston Primary School on Wednesday 28 April with 210 students from Years 3 and 4 being part of the fun.

The program provides an opportunity for children to be introduced to football and specifically learn the Small-Sided Football format. It is a cost-free day of participation for the children with Cottees providing giveaways such as footballs, stickers, water bottles, fridge magnets and tattoos for all the players.

PE C0-ordiantor at Ormiston Lara commented on the day. “The FFA Cottee's 5 a side Gala Day was AWESOME!!!  A fantastic experience along with maximum participation.”

FFA and Football Queensland will schedule and conduct thirty of these gala days over the coming school year, spreading across many areas of the state.

Football Federation Australia and Football Queensland have recently introduced FFA Cottee’s 5-a-side Football, a program designed to bring more players to the game by delivering Gala Days providing free, fun football for boys and girls in Grade 3 and 4.

Football Federation Australia and Football Queensland are introducing a new program which will be offered to primary school students throughout Queensland in late 2009 and 2010.

The program is called FFA Cottee's 5-a-Side Football. The program delivers Gala Days throughout Queensland regions providing free, fun football for both boys and girls in Grade 3 and 4.

The Program has been designed to encourage Primary Schools to incorporate and support Small Sided Football within its sporting structure. The other benefits include;

- Bringing new players to the game of football.
- Provides an opportunity to increase registered players for the 2010 season.
- Providing students with an opportunity to learn about the game of football.
- Offering young active children a safe, enjoyable and entertain sport, leading to further participation within football.
- Teaching children about the rules and practices of SSF.
- Offering a community based program free of charge for all participates.
- Providing a Gala Day which local schools can interact and participate on the sporting field.
- Further strengthening Grassroots football in South East Queensland.

Each Gala Day is usually held at a local club’s playing facility, on one specified day across a period of five hours. Throughout the Gala Day, each team will play a minimum of five games and participate in a number of additional activities throughout the day. Children are encouraged to bring their own snacks, lunch and drinks. 

To enter, schools must provide both a boys and girls team of maximum ten players, plus some teachers or senior students Grade 6 students to act as Game Leaders (Referees). 

The matches are consistent with the Optus Small Sided football Program - 20 minute games (10min. each way). 5-a-side game on a 30 x 20 metre field. The matches will be using small pop-up goals with no goalkeepers. Schools will not need to provide any equipment. Balls, goals, markers & bibs will be supplied by FFA.