The annual Gympie Music Muster started Thursday today and this year, for the first time, Football Queensland (FQ) is supporting the event by hosting an ALDI MiniRoos clinic for kids.

Fittingly titled the MiniRoos Muster, the presence of the ALDI MiniRoos inflatable field could be the catalyst for a surge in football playing numbers in the area.

The Muster is the Gympie district’s largest social event, drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike.

Football in Gympie has already has rich association with the Muster, with many of local clubs including the Gympie Diggers and Golden City Soccer Club using the event as their major fundraiser of the year.

The four-day festival, which finishes on Sunday night, attracts family groups by the dozens and having a mini football field is one way of taking the game to the public.

Football Gympie president Joel Albion said having the MiniRoos field at the major event is just what the game needs to grow in Gympie and district.

“It is a really good promotion for the game locally,” Albion said.

“Hopefully the MiniRoos side of the game will grow by getting the sport out  there because there will be a lot of foot traffic through where the field will be set up.

“The Music Muster is the biggest event in Gympie, the biggest single event held every 12 months and it generates a lot of interest from out of town.”

Muster officials are aiming to attract more families every year and FQ is proud to support the event and community of Gympie.

Football Gympie has about 855 registered players on their books with a significant percentage in the age groups 12 years and under.

“We’ve probably got about 500 of these on the books,” Mr Albion said.

“So this is a good idea of Football Queensland to jump out there to promote the game.”

Words: Terry Wilson