website

I heard a rumour that FFA were going to change things around pertaining to National Championships about a month ago. Just saw this the Capital Football website so I thought i would post it.

Seems like the U/15 age group in the boys has become null and void at Nationals level and the U/13&14 age groups will now play at Coffs Harbour. So if you turn 15 you wont have a 15's Nationals tournament, but if you are lucky enough to be training with an NTC you will have the NTC Challenge which is for 15 and 16 year olds.

I think the reason for this is that there are a number of boys at NTC's in the 15 year old age group that would be playing in 2 tournaments. One being in Coffs harbour in October with a team that probably wouldn't have been able to prepare properly due to almost half the team training with their state NTC's. The other being in Canberra (AIS) in December with a team that has been prepared specifically for this tournament.

And I was so looking forward to going back to Coffs next year. ;) ;)


Edited by spathi: 10/12/2010 02:14:52 PM

From FFV website;

Football Federation Victoria News
2011 National Championships Announced

Football Federation Australia has confirmed the dates for all National Championships to be held next year. They have also made some changes to the age groups that will be competing at these championships.

The National Junior Championships will now only play host to the Under 13 Girls age group and will be held in Canberra between the 17th and 21st of April.

The National Youth Championships for girls will no longer host an Under 17 age group and will instead consist of an Under 14 and an Under 15 age group. These championships will take place in Coffs Harbour between the 10th and 16th of July.

The National Youth Championships for boys will again be hosted in Coffs Harbour, with the Under 15 age group being replaced by the Under 13 age group in a move that will see all boys talented player identification take place in one hit. These championships will take place between the 2nd and 8th October.

Football Federation Australia has yet to finalise the number of teams, format and playing regulations of the National Championships and as such confirmation of entered teams will come at a later date.

Football Federation Victoria will be producing programs within the state to compensate for the age groups which have been removed at the national level.

A Metro versus Country VCL challenge in the Under 17 Girls age group as well as possible challenge matches against interstate opposition means that female players will still have a great chance to showcase their talents and gain exposure for selection into the NTC program or into the Melbourne Victory W-League program.

Although not competing at National Championships in 2011, the Under 15 Boys State Development program will continue to run throughout the winter season with the prospect of matches or a tour against interstate or international opposition throughout the year.

With 2011 rapidly approaching, keep your eyes on the Talented Player Development section of the website for news and updates regarding our programs.

Last updated: Friday December 10, 2010 10:45AM

Bullshit. Pissed off. Was also looking forward to going back to Coffs next year.

I can understand where they're coming from, but I'm still pissed off.

Edited by MidfieldMaestro: 10/12/2010 03:48:38 PM

You might have to come to Canberra for the NTC challenge now!!!

Does this mean that all the talented players have by the age of 15 already been identified and there is no more talent left in Australia other than the players in the state teams from last year?

krones3 wrote: Does this mean that all the talented players have by the age of 15 already been identified and there is no more talent left in Australia other than the players in the state teams from last year?

Good point krones3...what happens to the rest of the talented players. Surely some players has been overlooked, where do they go? Will there be any development programs for them ...for eg late developers??

there needs to be a focus on developing grass roots coaching systems, only a few dozen players will be selected for these age groups and once youre in and the coach likes you its likely that you are set in the squad for the entirety of the age period whether or not it is u13s-u15s or u14s-u18s

no point getting kids thinking theyre king shit cos theyre in the u13s nationals and getting their parents way ahead of themselves. its not the worst idea in the world but really the focus should instead be on implementing a more thorough nationwide curriculum, even though the teaching of and sustaining levels of competency required for that to be effective has the potential to drive away much of the volunteer support that the sport at that level thrives on

Kid goes out at 10 good player, loves the game plays fair smiles a lot.
If he plays well smiles at dad who gives him the thumbs up mum just talks to the other parents. Coach is happy and smiling with all the kids.
Age 13 kid is still playing well gets selected for the national team still playing at club level. Nothing the kid does is right by the coach everyone can not se how he got selected father thinks he is not the right coach and the kid is a star and should be treated as such half the parents will no longer talk idly with the mother and the other half see her as a ticket their kid needs to get into the top team hang around like suger ants to sugar.

Age 15 Father decides he is the only one good enough to train his son, mother hates going to the games 75% of the kids in the team can not stand the kid anymore 25% see him as a meal ticket and the kid hardly smiles anymore. Kid plays more aggressively gets more fouls and slowly starts to attract comments and ridicule.

Age 16 kid never smiles at football again is overly aggressive with other players and has the wrong mind set for football altogether. Nerves never go away and self confidence is shot.

Some career path.


Total fiction of course but could happen.

Not fiction at all..lol
Once kids are selected for U13 Nationals, coaches stick with them & does not seem to look at other talented players.

I dont know how it has worked in the past in other state rep squads but, the ACT U/13 team that played in the initial U/13 nationals tournament in Canberra 2009 had 7 players dropped for the 2010 U/14 nationals tournament in Coffs Harbour.

I dont know how it has worked in the past in other state rep squads but, the ACT U/13 team that played in the initial U/13 nationals tournament in Canberra 2009 had 7 players dropped for the 2010 U/14 nationals tournament in Coffs Harbour.



Mmmm Interesting...was there any improvement in the 2010 squad??

Absolutely,,,, They came from 1 single draw at the U/13 nationals to 3 wins 1 loss and 1 draw at the U/14 nationals. Although I must say it was in group B. In saying that they were in group B does not mean that all the teams in that group were weaker that the group A teams.
IMO the top 3 teams in group B could have mixed it with any of the group A teams. Those teams being NSW Country, Vic Country and ACT.

That's great...well done to the boys!!