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"VSF Academy Program to oversee exciting State Wide Competition"

By Gippsland Sports Academy - 6th September 2004 - Back to News

The Victorian Soccer Federation (VSF) has recently established a master plan framework for the betterment of junior soccer within the State. The concept will focus on junior development whilst developing a significant competition component to be played throughout all of Victoria. Trials for Gippsland’s Soccer Teams will be held on the 13^th and 15^th of September at the Traralgon Soccer Club starting at 6.00. These dates will be held for Under 12’s, 13’s and 14’s with Under 11’s Boys and Under 12 and 14 girls being held at a later date.

Currently the VSF are liasing with all of their Regional affiliates in order to finalise a number of tasks such as the appointment of program personnel, confirmation of athlete levy, competition dates and a description of the all that the program entails. The VSF see this as their major junior development program throughout the entirety of the their history as the States peak sporting body.

The program is expected to commence in early November and run through until March 2005. This year the program will be piloting 6 teams with this to be expanded to nine teams at the start of the 2005/06 seasons.

The benefits for the athletes, their Clubs and Victorian Soccer are a streamlined approach to Junior Development. There will be a number of critical appointments to be made by the VSF over the coming weeks including that of a State Coaching Director who will oversee all regions coaching structures and training methods. A Head Coach for each region will also be appointed along with numerous local coaches who will oversee the different age groups teams.

Ian Greener, the Technical Director of Coaching, has created a module process, which will be implemented by all of the regions in the program. It will act as a mechanism to teach the same technical and game style approach to the regions. It will also provide continuity for the athletes as they progress through the age groups.

The VSF also believe this will assist in talent identification in regards to both players and coaches. Given the network this model will create it will allow continued observation and assessment of athletes and coaches.

The Edison Mission Energy Gippsland Sports Academy, Gippsland Soccer League and Gippsland Group Training will be assisting in the delivery of the program. The athlete levy is likely to be approximately $650 with athletes receiving expert coaching, sports science, support services and a significant competition component, with 18 games proposed not including finals. Included in the athlete levy will also be transport to competition, 2 playing strips, drink bottles, hats etc., all provided by Mitre who will be the Statewide sponsor for the program.

Mr. Harry Bingham the Regional Coaching and Development Manager stated "the central figure in the VSF Academy program is, and always will be the player. Focus must continually be on maximising the potential of exceptionally talented boys and girls – what is best for the player and his / her development. Whilst at the same time not compromising their overall education, health and well being. Identifying players of outstanding ability and placing them in a program which will increase the technical, tactical, physical, psychological and educational aspects of their holistic being, is of paramount importance."

The regions will be divided into 10 metropolitan and eight country regions with competition taking place amongst them all. The VSF has been most conscious in designing the program to take place across the summer calendar as so as to not interfere with the current soccer season.

The local Clubs will have the benefit of having more technically and tactically advanced players. They will then be able to assume leadership and mentoring roles to the other players at their Clubs. It is also envisaged that the Academy athletes will continue with some form of training and or education during the normal GSL season.

The peripheral benefit is that it should also act as a mechanism to retain young Gippsland athletes in Gippsland Clubs. Given the nature of the competition all athletes should improve as a result of the concept and the matching of the best talent from each of the regions against one another. Therefore elite young Gippsland soccer athletes won’t have to make countless trips up the Princess Highway as they currently do to advance their ‘game’ and receive expert coaching and the associated education, as it will be brought to and provided for them in Gippsland.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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