[quote=Barca4Life
But with the A-League youth academies in time, there youth set-ups will make or break us into the future to terms of how we can push ourselves into the future. The grassroots will become important too but the pro clubs make the ultimate difference.

Edited by Barca4life: 25/4/2014 12:58:46 AM[/quote]

I agree with this. It will be interesting to see at what age these academies start and how they will impact on the current youth development programs and pathways.
Right now in Sydney, the top level is too concentrated (FNSW Institute elite squad of only 18 players from u12s)and the next level down( NPL Youth - 12 teams) is probably too broad. In SAP (U9s to U11s) it is even less selective with 30 SAP licences and over 600 kids per age group and no attempt to rank the teams. As a result, there is often a massive gap between teams, and results of 10-0, even 20-0 (forget about Real Madrid it happens here) the norm.

That part really annoys me and should not be happening. Why should the parents of a 12 yr old boy be paying the wages of a 30 year old wanna be in the clubs first team? its just rediculous.

I agree with this. It will be interesting to see at what age these academies start and how they will impact on the current youth development programs and pathways.
Right now in Sydney, the top level is too concentrated (FNSW Institute elite squad of only 18 players from u12s)and the next level down( NPL Youth - 12 teams) is probably too broad. In SAP (U9s to U11s) it is even less selective with 30 SAP licences and over 600 kids per age group and no attempt to rank the teams. As a result, there is often a massive gap between teams, and results of 10-0, even 20-0 (forget about Real Madrid it happens here) the norm. [/quote]

The SAP Programs are quite good in theory is just the quality tends to be scattered around with the 30 clubs but i guess its a long term project where they want the quality to match every club, so i guess its too soon to judge. They want to reach these kind of program to every kid thats the aim of SAP. Get the very worst to reach the best etc.

Also the FNSW Institiute has changed with Tobin and even Foster in charge for the better apparently 12 NSW players were selected for the AIS Program which is 33 year old, but in the long term the both Sydney and future expansion club(s) in Sydney will eventually take over these programs. Like how they do it in Europe.

We hope to see the fruits of this in the 10 to 15 years or so, long term change isn't easy to manifest IMO. We need to be patient for the results to come through from the NC.

The SAP Programs are quite good in theory is just the quality tends to be scattered around with the 30 clubs but i guess its a long term project where they want the quality to match every club, so i guess its too soon to judge. They want to reach these kind of program to every kid thats the aim of SAP. Get the very worst to reach the best etc.

Also the FNSW Institiute has changed with Tobin and even Foster in charge for the better apparently 12 NSW players were selected for the AIS Program which is 33 year old, but in the long term the both Sydney and future expansion club(s) in Sydney will eventually take over these programs. Like how they do it in Europe.

We hope to see the fruits of this in the 10 to 15 years or so, long term change isn't easy to manifest IMO. We need to be patient for the results to come through from the NC.[/quote]

Unfortunately, my observation has been that quality tends to be concentrated within the 'strong' SAP squads rather than sprinkled across the competition. Consistent 10-0 losses don't necessarily help these kids reach their best - particularly if the level of support (coaching etc) is not there. The 10-0 winners gain even less from these games.

I think its hard to defend both the SAP structure and the FNSW Institute as they are polar opposites in their philosophy, and SAP in no way prepares these kids for the cut-throat nature of selection for the institute and for NPL youth squads, nor for the pressures of promotion and relegation in the NPL Youth League. There can't be that much difference between an 11 year old and 12 year old boy.

I totally agree that over time A-League clubs will take over the elite youth development role of the State and National institutes, and hopefully this happen soon rather than later.

I have heard this said a lot, that junior fees are used to subsidise senior teams.

I know with the NPL that there are more costs associated with running a club and the individual teams.

1. Teams;
2. Youth Development;
3. Coaching Accredatation:
4.Governance:
5. Finance:
6. Facilities:
7. Organisational structure
8. Membership Protection
9. Medical
10. Reporting

While not going into these criteria there is now a compliance cost that needs to be built into the costs just to say in the NPL that did not exist before.
Then there is the cost in meeting the criteria such as having the necessary medical staff and access to Sport Science that clubs before the NPL did not have as a cost.
Having the necessary coaching accredited coaches is expensive.
While having access to facilities 10 months of the year to meet NC requiremnts is also a significant impost.

I'm not saying that there isn't seepage to the senior costs but I think we can all see that meeting the costs of a professional junior development program does have significant costs.

It appears the fee of $2500 for juniors and $1500 for SAP is not confined to Olympic, I'm pretty sure when I was researching the NPL for a bid in Melbourne that most of the NPL Clubs in NSW where at or near the limit.

So if any seepage from juniors is occuring I'd say they are all doing it.

Its probably an unfortunate reality for our sport at all levels.

I read how the local associations in NSW have millions of dollars in cash and assets is this not money from parents of 12yo's used for what purpose?

Are the State Federations not doing the same?

And what of the FFA and their capitation fee? What do they use the money for and where does it end up?

It is a sad truth that junior money is propping up the game on multiple levels.

Keep in mind that that isn't technically a comparison of the players and their ability at 12 years old. What kind of budget do they spend on coaching and management? No offense to Olympic or every other u12 Australian side, but they simply don't have the coaching or managerial resources (in terms of actual coaches and time) to compete at that level.

Who do you believe imparts a better tactical knowledge of the game to u12s? Sydney Olympic, or the Real Madrid academy? That's not a reflection on the technical skills or all-around ability of the players.

My point of view is that yes generally speaking our juniors are on par with the juniors of Europe.


But Real Madrids U12's are a select team with massive technical, financial, infrastructure and intellectual resources to support their junior development teams. And even then there is no guarantee that these RM boys will make their way to the Senior squad.
But then again to my knowledge only one player from Australia was ever considered by Real Madrid and that was Viduka.

The Chasm I have seen starts at U17 level and the gap widens to top level senior football.

I wonder what it would take to close that chasm