Jon in NSW an NPL club can charge $1500 per player for its SAP program, maybe if any program should be free or of minimal cost this is the one.


Edited by Arthur: 6/8/2013 11:02:42 AM

Eventually, the FFA pathway will be taken over by the A League and NPL clubs.

I'd like to see it ASAP. I've just finished an under 14 FFT rep team coaching assignment this year. I really, really feel sorry for the kids who miss out on the state team, and then the NTC.

Do we really need to have U14 select sides?
Would we be better off with 40-60 players training under Federation supervision two nights a week on top of their club commitments?
Would we have better long term results by having a stronger general playing pool?

There is no clearly delineated pathway for 14 year olds who are deemed surplus to requirements for the NTC - yet. The only option they have are private academies linked to NPL clubs.

The NPL system and HAL creates an alternative. In this state the NPL pathways are in the embryonic stages. I see my future in this area, but I want to see free coaching available in NPL clubs, not private academies linked to clubs.

When this can happen across the board then our game will really be on its way.
I'm told by a coach with a national profile within the FFA system, that NSW already have the SAP (only offered under the auspices of FFA in other states) in place for NPL clubs.
Edited by Decentric: 6/8/2013 12:03:01 AM

Absolutely, although we are advancing nicely as a footballing country we are sitting in say 3rd gear.I feel it could be bumped up a gear or 2 with academies. There are 13,14 year olds out there now that are waiting to be molded into great a league players. But the current system doesn't facilitate that. So in the next 5 years these kids will give the game away or stay at their current level and have stunted development instead of pushing on into the a league.

I'm not sure if I'm making any sense but to sum it up, it's just about making sure kids reach their full potential and not letting the kids that are out there now, slip through the cracks.

Eventually, the FFA pathway will be taken over by the A League and NPL clubs.

I'd like to see it ASAP. I've just finished an under 14 FFT rep team coaching assignment this year. I really, really feel sorry for the kids who miss out on the state team, and then the NTC.

There is no clearly delineated pathway for 14 year olds who are deemed surplus to requirements for the NTC - yet. The only option they have are private academies linked to NPL clubs.

The NPL system and HAL creates an alternative. In this state the NPL pathways are in the embryonic stages. I see my future in this area, but I want to see free coaching available in NPL clubs, not private academies linked to clubs.

I'm told by a coach with a national profile within the FFA system, that NSW already have the SAP (only offered under the auspices of FFA in other states) in place for NPL clubs.







Edited by Decentric: 6/8/2013 12:03:01 AM

The lack of experienced and qualified coaches is the main reason why a league academies are so important as they are going to attract the top coaches. i know they wouldn't have much contact with the kids but having Ange, Poppa, rado, Arnold "overseeing" the juniors in their clubs would do wonders for their development. Also I don't think you would see any favoritism towards the players like you see in junior clubs.

We only have 1 trained Advanced Coach ( C Licence upwards) in Australia compared to 50 in Japan.

Players need a lot of work to maintain correct body shape and good patterns of play from 12 onwards. Many are missing out on this level of training.

Conversely, FFA may contend that enough elite players are receiving this sort of football education. The antithetical point to this is that the four young players with the Socceroos in EAFF, did not go through the FFA system.


Back to the thread topic, it is good this kid was spotted by Liverpool. One agent I know, also a member of this forum, says only about 10 players would be good enough for the EPL from of quite a number of years scouting prospective talent in Victoria. This kid may be the exception, not the norm.






Edited by Decentric: 5/8/2013 11:13:49 PM

In a way It's almost to late when the kids are signed to the youth teams at 15,16,17, they are well on their way to being set in the style of player they are going to be. If these kids were signed by the club at 9,10,11 then by the time they are 17,18,19 the best will already be ready to step up into the senior team instead of just starting out in the youth team and adjusting to the system and lifestyle. That's 5 or so crucial years of development that these players are missing out on.

Anyway I am very happy about where the a league is after only 8 years but I feel that things could be pushed ahead greatly if a league clubs had junior teams.

I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean.

There are some good junior clubs out there. But there isnt the consistency in the coaching. the under 12 coach maybe very technical but then when the team moves to 13's the coach may be more about results. in an a league academy there would be a consistency in the training and it would also be more personalized. So I feel that if the best 20 13yr old, best 20 14yr old etc. in brisbane were in the roar system we would see their development accelerated drastically. So I think you would then see players advancing into the a league and making an impact at 17,18 instead of say 21,22 which is a massive positive.

Not sure this is the correct angle to be looking at this.
IMO the senior team in the area (zone) should set the style of play and all the clubs should try to emulate this. Leave the kids as long as possible in clubs providing the attitude in the club is OK

These "born" footballers need to be in a professional environment where the aim is to develope the individual not win games and develope a team like in junior amateur clubs. I think the a league clubs would be surprised by the level of some juniors out there if they actually took a good look. In a way It's almost to late when the kids are signed to the youth teams at 15,16,17, they are well on their way to being set in the style of player they are going to be. If these kids were signed by the club at 9,10,11 then by the time they are 17,18,19 the best will already be ready to step up into the senior team instead of just starting out in the youth team and adjusting to the system and lifestyle.

Liverpool scouts' mystery target

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/liverpool-scouts-mystery-target/story-fn63e0vj-1226683997108

by: Ray Gatt From: The Australian July 24, 2013 12:00AM

NO matter the result of tonight's exhibition match against Melbourne Victory, English giant Liverpool will not only walk away with thousands of new fans but could add another Australian to the list of those who have worn the famous red jersey.

As much as the focus of Liverpool's Asian tour is on its preparation for the new English Premier League season, which kicks off next month, the club has already taken the opportunity to gauge the junior football talent here.

And, according to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, it appears it has uncovered a gem. But a gem destined to remain hidden, as the club refuses to reveal details of the young player.

Speaking with The Australian yesterday, the Northern Irishman admitted the club's head of recruitment had discovered a 15-year-old he has described as "absolutely outstanding".

"We are always looking to bring in great young talent and our head of recruitment may have found one," Rodgers said enthusiastically. "I'm not sure where he drove to, but he watched a game outside of Melbourne.

"The pitch was not in the best condition, but he spotted a kid who was absolutely outstanding and he is just 15. That's the sort of talent you have here."

However, Liverpool officials were adamant last night they would not reveal any information about the youngster because they wanted to protect him at this stage and not alert other clubs to his talent.

Perhaps, in years to come, he could join the likes of Craig Johnston, Harry Kewell and, currently, goalkeeper Brad Jones who have worn the red shirt.

"It goes to show you just how good Australians are at sport," Rodgers said. "Clearly they have taken to many sports and football is one of them.

"I've seen the Australian game develop and improve drastically in the last 10 years or so."

Talk to Rodgers at length and what emerges is his fanaticism not only for Liverpool to succeed and climb back to the lofty heights it once enjoyed, but for the Reds to do it with a style of football that is passionate and entertaining.

"I was a young player who was always technical, but I grew up in a Britain that was more about power, pace and strength," Rodgers said. "When I had to stop playing at 20, I decided to go down a different route.

"I looked at different coaching methods in Spain and Holland. I wanted to make a difference and help young players see there was a different way.

"As a coach I am always looking to evolve. My football philosophy is clear. The style of football I try to implement to win games is pretty much set. I've worked on that throughout my life, playing attacking, creative football in the opponent's half, to play the game to entertain the fans.

"Of course, you will always have tactical adjustments, something is always evolving.

"I am not dogmatic . . . absolutely you have to be pragmatic," he says.

"If something is clearly not working you have to change. Obviously what I am doing now is something I know works. I've been doing it all my life.

"Ultimately, it's all about the players you have and the quality."