Major leap forward ...
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/foo...732332187.htmlAcademies to close as A-League clubs take on development
Michael Cockerill
July 8, 2009
THE
pillars of Australia's development pathway - the state-based academies
- are to be dismantled and replaced by programs run by A-League clubs,
with help from the taxpayer.
The change in emphasis towards
club-based training in the key age group from 15 to 18 is part of the
new national curriculum released earlier this year by national
technical director Han Berger. The Dutchman is keen to follow many of
the development models used in Europe, where clubs provide the
finishing schools for talented youngsters until the decision is made
whether they will go on to play professionally.
By contrast,
Australia's development pathway has historically been organised by
state academies, underpinning the pinnacle of the system, the
Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. The AIS will remain under
the new system - and will be included in the national youth league from
this season - but starting next year the A-League clubs will take over
the roles previously undertaken by the state academies. The first to be
disbanded will be the state academies in Victoria, Queensland and South
Australia, with the other states eventually falling into line.
Melbourne
Victory, Adelaide United, Gold Coast United, Brisbane Roar, North
Queensland Fury and the new second A-League team in Melbourne are all
hoping to establish their own academies by the end of next year.
The
financial burden for the clubs will be alleviated with Football
Federation Australia believed to have secured a deal from the various
state governments to simply redirect funding from the existing programs.
The
NSW Institute of Sport program is likely to be the last one to fall,
having recently formalised a new deal with the state government that
secures its existence until 2013. That will give extra time for Sydney
FC, a new western Sydney team, and the Newcastle Jets to form their own
academies. The other NSW team in the A-League, Central Coast Mariners,
already have their own academy.
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei