...when it comes to player pathways. My experience is that there is no singular answer that works for all players. Often it is a case of attitude meeting opportunity.
This is one of my favourite quotes on the forum ever.
What private academies bring to the table that Federations and NZF don't (but should) is that opportunity to take things further.
thanks Smithy, you're too kind.
Very good points you and Shushy make.
Rufers Wynrs academy is all about getting players off shore, same with APFA. When you look at the number of young Aussies overseas we are sadly lacking and NZF need to raise their game here. They have spent a fortune on age group national teams with moderate success on the back of good work by a mix of private, club and federation programmes aided by Aust shifting into Asia (this is the biggest factor in our progression imo - the luck factor which never should have been part of the equation). If NZF and the Federations got on with supporting and encouraging progressive clubs (national benchmarking springs to mind) and providing support for players too experience higher level football overseas (and here I am talking a clear experiential difference between the likes of Rufer v VanHattum, DeJong etc) by chasing contacts and connections I think we would progress further faster - the way I see it we fall short by limiting player pathways to our own inferior experience. In this country we have a lot of immigrants who turn up having had lower level experience telling us how it should be done while a guy who played at the very top level and is clearly showing how it should be done is not part of the discussion, now to me that's just crazy. If NZF were to turn this country into a football factory we wouldn't have to worry about things like taking on rugby, schools v clubs etc. They can't do that while they see themselves as the experts delivering the programmes, they need to become true leaders. Focus on the whole of football, not just the All Whites.
Interesting thoughts, we have to ask why Wynton is not more influential, then again you have to spend time with him and try, as NZ Football did, to work with him (more than once).
I have no problem with him running his programme, neither do I anybody else. We have and have had more players playing professionally overseas than a lot of people realise. Per head of population we might be close to Aussie. A few found opportunities through Wynton. A lot more through Fallon. Many through other programmes including NZ footballs. Some found their own way.
There are a number of people with connections not just Wynton and many go out of their way to give our youngsters overseas opportunities.
Look at the varying paths of the current and recent All Whites playing on and off shore.
Smithy was in a NZ National Academy group at the age of 12, went to the UK (Ipswich)at 14, played for England in age group teams (played against NZ I think)
Rory similarly,actually declined the opportunity to play for his Dad's NZ side in the '99 Under 17's World Cup selected and played for England at 17's and 20's.
Leo similarly declined age group selection NZ selection wanted to try to play for Greece. Played over there came back off to Aussie and back.
Chris Wood played in the Waikato identified by Roger Wilkinson (Premier Skills) sent to West Brom.
Winston Under 12's in Northland then off to Scandinavia.
Others progressed through the colleges. Elliott, Nelsen, Brown, Clapham etc.
I could go on and on. They all have their own story.
New Zealand Football believe they do their best to take advantage of the age group World Cup opportunities. Unfortunately currently only works for those living in the North. Surely our major concern locally.
That wont change until those currently running our game locally wake up or are woken up. They have blanked Burnley and failed to develop a relationship with APFA. Instead they will send poorly selected representative FTC teams to Wellington.
Interesting point maybe. Check the top of The Mainland Site. Apparently Mid Canty, Marlborough, Nelson, West Coast all have a voice
Canterbury clubs apparently not. We are expected to feed on what they dictate.
If you have talent, drive and huge support from your family and you want to succeed in Football e.g. become a pro, then why would anyone be interested in the NZF pathway when there are many private academy programs running in New Zealand. Take Burnley FC for example they have three full time paid coaches in New Zealand, all hold coaching or sporting degrees from UK Universities. The all come from the UK with a support of 9 more highly qualified coaches out of Perth and a direct link to the Burnley FC in the UK. I fail to see that NZF can even match that sort of coaching and starting at the age of u6, THE GOLDEN YEARS !
Seems to be a lot of people moaning out there about pathways and who is right and who is wrong. No one is wrong, make a choice and get on with it. Point to note, how many All Whites have never been throught the NZF pathway, very interesting, I am sure you will find a few.
To be fair to NZF why would they even try to compete, they have a different business plan and so that should they sell a different product.
I think that most people just cant see why NZF (including local federations) should bend over backwards to accomodate the private academy players, why would they and why should they ?. The private academy players long term are most lilkey targeting overseas contracts anyway so what are they moaning about.
If you want to succeed in football no matter what pathway you choose save yourself some pain, make a choice and get on with it ! and I am sure it will all work out for you :)
One of NZFootball's objectives is to get more players off shore. The more playing professionally at a good level, the more competitive the All Whites. They are our only potential source of income other than World Club Champs.
Why they discount the value of Private Providers I really do not know. NZ system developed some but Smith no Reid no Bertos no James no McLinchey no Smeltz no Fallon no Woods no.
At meeting last night FTC 16's in training 9 of them that is, couldnot see any defenders Must have night off. Spoke to one player and there apparently are not any. he could have been kidding.
You hit it on the head here
"Why they discount the value of Private Providers I really do not know"
And I found this on the football south website, was totaly disgusted to see this ! Basically these guys have underminded the intelligence of there own people.
Rule number 1. Never bad mouth your opposition, They must be threated by there presence
So whats wrong with earning a profit, all good businesses earn a profit which is normally derived from a good product. No one wants to invest in a failing business.
So they are not endorsed by NFZ, here is some info out of the NZF 2013-2105 Strategic Plan
Are Bunley FC or any other private provider not a stakeholder in the game !
Then they go on to threaten you by creating rules to make it difficult for "OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THE GAME" which says they will work closey with ! so that you cant make the national pathway. They even go on the bag our National All Whites Coach, the cheek of them.
I think football south should really take a good look at themselves, issueing a statement like that just opened up a can of worms for themselves.
Read On, the board should be ashamed of themselves for posting this rubbish on their website.
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From the Football South Website
Private Provider Memo 8th Nov 2013
Earlier in the year we put out a memo to clubs and schools on the subject of private providers in general, and Burnley Football Club Academy Australia (BFCAA) in particular.
With the recent “promotional” activity being undertaken by BFCAA through some local club contacts, schools and at the Football South Futsal leagues run at the Edgar Centre, it is timely to reiterate our views on the subject.
BFCAA are a “for profit” business operating out of Perth, Western Australia competing for customers/players in the 6-16 years age groups. BFCAA is not endorsed by Football South or NZF and sits outside the Talent Perform Pathway of our Whole of Football Plan (WOFP) i.e. Skill Centres (SCs) and Federation Talent Centres (FTCs).
Any player seeking to follow the NZF Talent Pathway, which ultimately leads to identification and selection for Federation and NZ Age Group teams, and National Talent Centres, must be registered in and attend at least 75% of FTC commitments. This is a well established, highly researched, significantly funded team and personal development programme targeted towards individual player needs and team requirements.
The National Player Development Framework Pathway within the WOFP has two core streams:-
· Grassroots – with the 2 sub streams Recreational & Participation
· Talent – with the 2 sub streams Perform & Elite
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), set up between clubs and Football South, underlines a commitment by clubs and Football South to work together (and support each other) to develop all aspects of the National Framework.
Again, we reiterate that private providers like the “BFCAA”, “Ricki Herbert Academy” and “Grasshoppers” are currently not endorsed by Football South or New Zealand Football, and sit outside the National Framework.
If any club or school requires further information about the Football South WOFP please Contact:
Shane Carvell, Football Development Manager, atshane.fdm@footbballsouth.co.nz
or Dave Martin-Chambers, Football Development Officer, atdave.fdo@footballsouth.co.nz
or Mike Clark, Futsal Development Manager, at futsal@footballsouth.co.nz
On behalf of the Board & Management of Football South
Bill Chisholm
General Manager