Wellington Phoenix Football Academy

Good work on the new topic.

I've heard nothing of regional academies, so I'm going go guess that it's been shelved for the time being.

So, one year on from this Gareth blog, where are we?

All of these were delivered to be fair: 

1. The finishing school will have players in residence in Wellington by June 2012
2. Eight players 20 years old or younger will be asked to join this season
3. These eight players will train and play with the Phoenix
4. Each player will be offered appropriate accommodation, allowances and schooling opportunities developed specifically for each player.
5. The eight players will be eligible to play for Team Wellington in the ASB premiership.
6. The eight players will combine with Phoenix players to play midweek friendly games against squads around the country.
7. During the winter season the players will play in the local Wellington club competition.

Agreed, so by June 2013 - next month - will we see another crop announced - 8 players, 16? or no announcement? I'd just like to see some traction on this front because it's part of developing a professional club in NZ. Other A league clubs are all well ahead of us.

So you agree there will only be 2 entities not 3 (Academy, FSE, Nix); as, for all intents and purposes, FSE IS Phoenix Academy.

I have not heard that GM has not flagged his ideas on regional academies. F.S.E is confirmed. So 3 points of contact with the football community but who and how the regional's are done is anyone's guess. TW makes 4.

Not long till preseason begins and scouting must be in progress. 

Interesting Mosh Girls rating higher than the base development of your football club. 

Scouting is taking place for TW FSE but GM regional academies I will have to ask. No rumours on those yet. 

@m0w0g: @garethmorgannz  you been out looking at players, while you wait for the bikes to land. #excitement " very private here" @YellowFever_NZ. Will let you know about academy situation soon I get the reply. 

Gareth may miss out on seeing top South Korean players on his epic scouting tour. 

The South Korean armed forces football team are also called the Phoenix... nothing to do with anything, just thought it was interesting...

...and the North Koreans might be called the Pyromaniacs....

Carrying on from the NZF thread:

I think the best bet at 11-15 is WPFC starts a JV with Capital football where they use their resources but provide some input, funding and coaching to make sure that players are getting the type of coaching the club requires.  

Perhaps their could be financial incentives for other centres to do the same (i.e. per player that they sign as a 15 year old you get $[x] - no idea what is a reasonable figure here).  15 and above they need to select the best nationwide and bring them to Wellington.  I think you're going to spread resources too thin trying to run parallel systems in different cities.  

I would say age 15-17 they could/should play as a team in Capital Premier and then in the National Youth League in the Summer in either in addition to or instead of the Capital/team Welly youth football squad (not sure what badge they have).  18 and above play in ASBP for team Welly/Phoenix.  Not perfect but a start of a framework/pathway from 11 years olds to the first team.

I'm ignoring interaction with NZF U20s because I have no idea how that's supposed to work!

Let's go with that approach just for a moment - say a doz. 15 year olds from around the country are good enough and willing, these kids should be training twice a day 6 days a week (Aussie institute of sport or pro club model). Around that you need to fit coach/sports science/physio/conditioners AND accommodation, food, schooling, counselling support/life planners. Then you have to think about how often they should be playing games (weekly club comp not necessary at that age) and who appropriate opposition might be - other A league academy teams. You reckon WPFC can do that?

If not WPFC who is going to do it?

You'll be pleased to know that this conversation is underway. 12-16 not 11-15.

Joint Venture with Capital Football - will that take more resources away from their core business of running the game. Our worse ad more cost's to local clubs. 

not like CF to go outside core business without stakeholder consultation...oh wait..

Look at C / Football transfers once the on switch is turned. 

A lot have taken the first step already just on the assumption- Nix in Wgtn we need to be in Wgtn . 

WELLINGTON PHOENIX AND ASIA PACIFIC FOOTBALL ACADEMY TEAM UP

The Wellington Phoenix and Asia Pacific Football Academy (APFA) have joined forces to develop the next generation of football talent in New Zealand.Based in Christchurch, the APFA is an intensive, live-in programme aimed at youth between 13 and 17 that trains aspiring footballers to the highest technical standard.Under the joint agreement the Phoenix will look to channel identified young footballers between 13 and 17 to the APFA where they will be trained under a programme specifically designed by Phoenix and APFA coaches.

Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome said the partnership was crucial to the on-going development of the Club. “The directives from the owners of the Club have been clear – we need to continue to invest and develop the next generation of football players if this Club is going to challenge in the A-League,” Dome said.

“This initiative is the next part of that process. If the Wellington-based Football School of Excellence based around Team Wellington is at the top of the academy structure, then this partnership with APFA is the next level down.

“The APFA meets all our criteria for being able to develop top quality football players with the best technical skills, while also being able to meet their educational and development needs outside football.

“We are extremely pleased that we have concluded this initial agreement and are looking to expand our academy structure to as many centres as make sense in the future”. 

APFA Managing Director Andy Smith said his Academy was thrilled to have the association with the Phoenix. "We are excited to have agreed this partnership with the Wellington Phoenix,” Smith said.

“APFA has been working successfully with young New Zealand players for a number of years and often many career pathways in football led overseas.

“This initiative now offers talented young domestic players a significant new onshore opportunity for them to work towards their dream of playing professional football."

good stuff. two thumbs up!

Makes things a bit easier than organising their own academy down there.

Where does this leave NTC/FTC/WOF plan?

Where it is. Not sure why the NZF programme should be effected.

Kids who can afford private vs kids who can't?

Unfortunately that is life. Same goes with uni etc etc.

I assume Phoenix's involvement means there will be no/limited cost for some?