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Development Squads
U9 – U14
What are Development Squads?
North Coast Football is commited to providing players within the North Coast region oppertunites to develop and progress. The Development Squad program is the underpinning program that feeds into North Coast Football SAP & NPL Squads. The Development Squads have been put in place to provide a stepping stone for young footballers between grassroots football and SAP/NPL Football.
Children aged between 9-14 will train once per week with their respective Development Squads whilst also training and playing football with their local club on weekends.
Aim
To provide the necessary technical ‘tools’ to players in order to help them be able to play the game at the highest possible level with a focus on functional game skills.
Fundamental Core Skills
The Development Squad program focuses on development and mastery of the four core skills:
1v1
First Touch
Striking the ball
Running with the ball
Coaches in the Development Squads will predominantly use ‘Question and Answer’ as a means of achieving the pre-determined learning outcomes for each session and game.
FAQ’S – Development Squad Information
What is the selection criteria?
An assessment on the four core skills will be the primary focus as well as players social and psychological competence.
Will unsuccessful trialists be provided feedback?
With well over 200 trialists, coaches are not resourced to provide each player feedback.
How many trials will there be before squads are finalised?
As many as the SAP licensee requires depending on the size of each zone.
Where are the training venues and when is training?
It is expected that one training session will be completed weekly. If there is a clash with your club training, it is hoped that Development Squad training is prioritised, however this needs to be agreed and discussed with the clubs affected. Where possible, Development squads are encouraged to train on non-traditional club training nights. Players then return to clubs for their weekly training and match.
When will the program start and finish?
The 2019/20 Development squad trials will held in October 2019 for all squads. Training will continue for the selected players leading up to the Christmas holiday break. All selected squads will start training coinciding with the start of the 2019 school year though to September. These dates are subject to change, so please monitor your email, the Website and the Team App for communications.
Will the squads play competitive games?
No, this program is a training programme only. Training will prioritise individual development across the four core skills.
How many players per squad?
Each Develpment squad will differ but we can select upto 16 players per squad.
Who will I trial with?
You will trial with players similar in age. Please note we take into account the Relative Age Effect
Is the program open to goalkeepers?
Yes the program does cater for goalkeepers. The modern goalkeeper needs to be competent in each of the four core skills. There is a specific goalkeeping coach offered in the Skill Acquisition Program.
Is the program open to females?
Yes the program does cater for girls. Where there are not girls squads, girls are eligible to trial with the boys. In some cases girls may be offered the opportunity of a position in the boys group, subject to approval from NNSW Football.