of course we did. our trials went very smoothly and we were very happy with the quality and number of kids that came to trial. All squads have been finalised, final coaching appointments will be finalised this week, curriculum is nearly ready, report cards and other initiatives being finalised as well. were pretty much ready to roll. very exciting.

how about you guys, finalised your squads? also, is olympic going to field teams in the local association for younger age groups? would be great to have gala days involving some of our little ones.

You filled up the teams Kolner?

so true. a team from the coast was almost included as the 8th team. anyway, ina years time, im sure everyone will see the benefits and wizdom of this program. just need the dust to settle. at rockdale, were very focussed on making sure the program is well implemented.

This. I saw a lot of talented kids up here on the coast miss out on SAP/Metro League spots that will be stuck at club football for another 12 months. I'm sure if the kids had the opportunity to do PDP as an alternative a lot would jump at it.

all going well, it will become the premier program for kids in those age brackets. it makes sense.

I think it's a great idea. The more exposure kids get to quality coaching can only raise the standard. If more talented players are exposed to higher level training then we can produce more higher level players.

It's raising the bar which is what is needed. This also has a flow on effect down to grassroots and up to A-league in the future.

Good stuff!

I understand their frustrations, our programs offer a better pathway for kids to join the premier League in the youth ages, but they should have known this was going
To eventuate and their regional based comp was stupid.

they appointed tobin, setup all these sap/sal whatever programs. so they have no choice but to make anything else seem like a second best option. they also will have to deal with all of the whinging associations. i read a rant by the canterbury assoc, and a shocker from the ku ring gai assoc. anything to put down the program.

stgeorge havent obliged with any promoting of our pdp program either. guess it clashes with their sal program and their newly formed academy.

one would of thought peaceful co-existence and promoting such initiatives by associations would be order of the day given it develops all kids who participate.

I agree. It strengthens our clubs as well as giving a BETTER pathway for our youngsters then the FNSW/FFA program. Even the title of the article that they 'accept' the PDP is negative.

i agree mate. they have to say it that way as otherwise it looks bad in terms of their SAP, SAL and whatever other programs theyve come up with. reality is this is on par if not a better avenue for kids than any of those programs.

I just read it. What a load of fkn shit. It's like as if they're speaking down on the program!!!

They took there sweet ass time

FINALLY, FOOTBALL NSW HAVE POSTED AN ARTICLE ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT THEY ENDORSE THE PROGRAM. FANTASTIC STUFF. HAVE A READ EVERYONE.

Interesting concept, would this effect the elite patheways such as SAP or the skillaroos programs that the FFA have??? would there be a conflict of interest betweeen the clubs and state, national bodies???

Ken Schembri talks NSW Premier Development Program

Greg Gavalas

Sunday, 23 October 2011
The Premier Development Program (PDP) is an elite club based talented player pathway for boys and girls aged 6-12 years of age: “An Elite Youth Pathway which combines a non-competitive environment with high level coaching practices.” History has shown the true pathway for young footballers is through Clubs. State League Clubs of NSW have introduced a true pathway for players who wish to play at the highest level of our great game. You now have the opportunity to play for your state league club from age 6 to First grade. This model is the foundation of success in Europe and now being introduced into Australia. No longer is there a need to participate in a multitude of programs with different bodies. You can base yourself with the club of your choice and be provided with every opportunity to develop.

The Real Game's editor Greg Gavalas caught up with Blacktown City FC General Manager Ken Schembri who helped put the program together to talk about it and some general football set up in Australia.

Greg Gavalas (GG): How did the NSW Premier League Program get developed?

Ken Schembri (KS): It was a concept developed by all the (NSW Premier League Clubs) clubs as a result of, A - wanting to raise the standard of our children, their skills etc, B - raise the standard of coaches in NSW and the requirements of the club and as a consequence of self analysis of the clubs performances to date with developing football.
There seems to be quite a bit of positivity around the programme through the communities with the number of people attending trials and it shows there is a genuine interest in people getting coaching at the right level for the right price and the other fundamental is we want the money to stay in the game instead of going outside of it.

GG: How does the development program work for different ages groups and is there a break down?

KS: Football NSW has endorsed a premier development program for ages 10, 11 and 12 year olds. From age 6 to 9 year olds, their asking us to participate within local associations structures and competitions. The clubs overall are happy to support that concept, so that’s where we are coming from. Immediately it will allow us to move down to a 10 year old child, why are we doing it that way is because the FFA (Football Federation Australia) is happy for elite development to start at that age group as below that age group there should not be a strong focus on elite development as participation and fun.

GG: What type of costs would parents have to look at if they wanted to have their child participate?

KS: For ages 10, 11 and 12 it would be a set fee across all organisations, it would be $1,200 plus GST for a 32 week curriculum program

GG: Do you think the FFA and football fans and media have looked over State League clubs who have put something as fundamental as this in place due to their focus on the A-League?

KS: I think the premier league clubs see themselves as the underpinning programme to the A-League and we are the body for developing youngsters for the A-League, we are the body that develop youngsters for the national programs at the younger age groups so it’s not that we have been over looked, I think the current administration are recognising that there is improvements needed in the way that we develop our children if we are going to participate better on the world stage with our national teams from under 13's through to the first team, that's why, at the end of the day I think we all agree our performances on the world stage need to be better, so that why we are doing this.
We believe if we put something better in place, we will have more opportunities of getting more success through the program. It's not a short term solution but for the long term.

GG: In the development program from 10 years old and up they will be able to compete with the Premier League club of their choice?

KS: Yes, from 10, 11 and 12 they will compete with the club of their choice, at the moment there is about 6-8 members (clubs) of the program and that should confirm to 8, the children can choose from those 8 clubs, we are suggesting they should do that on a regional basis for the moment, so they can chose where they go. In 2013, it is my expectation that there will be a review of competition structures across the state and hopefully the new structure will be implemented.

GG: Is their many ex-players of particular staff that will be developing the youngsters?

KS: Every club has to appoint a technical director with a recognised FFA qualification, that’s the clubs responsibility. Most clubs are setting up a technical director at the top of the tree, their also having what they call a youth director below that person who is responsible to ensure the implementation of the program at the children’s level as well.
All the clubs have different people involved, their all high profile, their are players and ex-player who would want to get involved and by all means, in the end its based on what qualifications they got, if they have their CMB licence etc, then they’re in, if they don’t then they can’t participate as you have to have your qualifications.

GG: Is this the first programme a federation has put in place like this?

KS: I'm not sure about that, I know Victoria are doing a slightly different model about development, they have addressed a similar issue, the difference being here the original initiative was a club based model which is now been endorsed by FNSW.

GG: With the current football model we have in place in Australia, do you believe FFA need to eventually establish a B-League, particularly if we are able to develop a good amount of talent in the future through programs like the NSW Premier League Program?

KS: I personally believe a B-League in Australia is financially unsustainable. I think what we require is premier leagues in each state to become the underpinning program to the A-League.
Whilst there might be a few bodies that might be able to afford a B-League, I would say that even the current A-League is having its own financial problems let alone a B-League, so I would see the Premier League programme being the underpinning programme to the A-League.

http://www.therealgame.com.au/news/state-league/735/ken-shembri-talks-nsw-premier-development-program

its in the pipeline. our kids can play int eh assoc, then have a couple of gala days during the year against fellow PL clubs.
great idea.

A gala day sounds like a great idea.

its only come about because FNSW said no to the 6-9 yr olds and suggested you field teams in the associations. we already do this at rockdale and hopefully if all PL clubs have those junior teams, we can have gala days against each other.

Long time coming. It's a bit of a question why we never had association teams....

It just goes to show how much of a good committee we have had the last few seasons, something we have been lacking since ummmmm, forever.

mate, it was schrembri although your boys jumped at the chance to join up.

olympic will now try to field teams in their local association for 6-9 yr olds.

wrong. :lol:

however, great initiative, and I'm glad many clubs have taken this step in youth development as well as making clubs more financially stable and viable. Good on Rockdale for jumping on board.

it was actually ken schrembri from blacktown city demons. well done ken, long overdue.

You're not talking about the great OOO-LYYM-PIC are you Mini?

Kolner, which Club got the ball rolling for it :P

great news with FNSW now endorsing the PDP program. will be confined to only 10-12's but still great to have the program endorsed. northbridge fc on board as well, another one in the pipeline.
this time next season, i think you'll find those who decided against coming on board will have a change of heart as its a great concpet and the way to go.
trials on at rockdale this sat and sun for 11's and 12's. check out the website www.rockdalecitysunsfc.com.au

i know other clubs have had trials over the weekend and will continue this week.

very positive.

i know if i was a player in that age group id rather go pdp than play metro's/SAL

APIA and its junior club "Leichhardt Tigers" are completely different entities, run with a different board etc.

There is no false impression that you will get a Youth League spot buddy, and as a matter of fact the Tigers juniors have 13s, 14s, 15s teamt etc. that play in Canterbury Association. The Tigers juniors have been playing in Canterbury Association forever and a day.

Typical keyboard warrior you are shooting off your mouth without any knowledge of the facts.

at rockdale, we have over 300 players who play in our local association and who have done so for years. minimalist is right, this is not fnsw endorsed, but its a fantastic concept. i eluded to this months ago.

anyone who is skeptical about thsi program better think again. there are 100's of private academies out there, none of whom offer the chance of a pathway through to higher grades, none of whom are regulated or offer the opportunity for players to test themselves against other clubs.

stay tuned, there might be another 2 clubs joining.

oh and as for the PL clubs who didnt join, its simply because theyre the assoc backed clubs who didnt want to ruffle feathers with their associations who love their metro's etc.

APIA and Bonno run park levels teams but no one is under any illusions they will play 4 levels up into premier league maybe you are but no one else is.

Metro does not work its a failed product, thank god this will change it

You mean running a club in the local association catering for all ages?

If yes, then I can tell you that United, Marconi and Bonnyrigg all have "spin-off" clubs in Southern Districts.

Cant speak for the other two, but United's junior club "Sydney Juniors" is a seperate entity to the FNSW member entity with different boards and all that. There is no "guarantee" that it will lead to a spot in the PYL team.

This isn't FNSW endorsed.