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Academies to close as A-League clubs take on devel

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Academies to close as A-League clubs take on devel

Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Major leap forward ...


http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/foo...732332187.html

Academies 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

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
another handicap for the Phoenix to overcome.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
The link doesn't work

The url is

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/academies-to-close-as-aleague-clubs-take-on-development/2009/07/07/1246732332187.html

Btw each NZFC runs an academy for their youth teams. But it does not get Government assistances. Obviously the Nixs has to find out another way to operate.AllWhitebelievr2009-07-08 18:08:08
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
State government funding the academies ... Commonwealth government funding the youth league .. thank God Obie Wan is on our side ... this is going to create an awesome player base ... and 15 to 20 years down the track what a team we will have...  

Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Very interesting, and even more reason why the Phoenix need to build a strong youth system in order to compete.
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