Post by paoktzi on Feb 23, 2012 20:38:01 GMT 10
A Pathway to Success
posted by on February 23, 2012
Sydney Olympics’ focus on the development of domestic based talent intensified with the launch of the Premier Development Program at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The Premier Development Program (PDP) is an elite talent based program that provides players aged between 10-12 with a pathway into the NSW Premier Youth League.
Hundreds of enthusiastic young players attended the Premier Development Program trials, causing a selection headache for the PDP U/12’s coach Enzo Calabria. With an abundance of players to consider, Calabria welcomed the selection conundrum and was impressed with the talent that was amongst him.
“The level of talent experienced was of a high standard with solid technical abilities on display.
“Players from all levels came to trial, which was encouraging and also gave me a challenge to pick a group of individual players which I could develop to become better players”, Calabria said.
After conducting several trials, Calabria decided upon his team and selected a squad of sixteen U/12 players.
“My initial thoughts when I selected the 16 players was [that] I have a well balanced team where I can work with players who are willing to learn and are also keen to learn from each other”, he said.
Calabria believes that the PDP is beneficial for young footballers that wish to obtain a high standard of coaching within a Premier League environment.
“The benefit of the PDP is that the players are definitely receiving quality coaching to become a complete player within a Premier League Club environment,
” Where standards are high and every player has a common goal to achieve success”, Calabria added.
The PDP focuses primarily on the development of players rather than the achievement of results. A focus which Calabria believes is paramount and of high importance.
“ The Development of young players is my foremost priority, technique is extremely important and awareness is a very close second ”, he said.
The governing body, Football Federation Australia introduced a National Curriculum, which focused on strengthening Youth Development in Australia. The Curriculum itself acts as a guide for Australian clubs and identifies the ideal players that clubs should strive to produce, players who are equipped with exceptional skills and technical abilities.
Australia has no shortage of emerging talents but Calabria believes that these gifted players will need to be tweaked and developed by quality coaches with great efficiency.
“Australian clubs should develop coaches to develop Youth. It is a priority for clubs to provide or send coaches for Education to FFA coaching courses to give the best possible training to youth [players]” Calabria said.
Calabria himself possesses several coaching accreditations and advocates the use of several methods, such as, repetition during his training sessions. Calabria encourages his players to learn in high-pressure environments, which replicate situations that the players may encounter during their games.
Calabria also believes that no time limit should be implement on his players learning and uses encouragement as a method to help his players succeed and meet their goals as a team.
“The technique/ methods I use to develop the U/12 players, is repetition, repetition, repetition, this is used to get the best out of the players.
“All is practiced within an environment where it is intense, so that the players can be put under pressure and be taught how to handle pressure.
“I demonstrate the technique and give them time to develop the practice but there is no time limit implemented on the practice. I just don't move on to the next subject.
“I also make sure that every player is on the same playing field with encouragement of course”, Calabria, explained.
SOFC technical director Tom Alexakis believes that players aged between 12-16 must ‘train to learn’ the essential football skills in order to develop, a belief that is also upheld by Calabria.
“I totally agree with Tom's statement 'Train to Learn'. The players in the U/12s should learn and develop the following skills and techniques, 1v1, running with the ball, striking the ball and first touch, [but] not in any particular order.
“ I also teach my players about the importance of communication and teach them how to use both feet”, Calabria said.
The U/12 PDP side is currently in pre-season training and had their first hit out as a team against an older Under 13s Division 1 outfit. The junior ‘Blues’ side obtained a 4-4 draw with their opposition and issued a courageous and impressive performance. However, Calabria believes that there is definitely room for improvement.
“The first game together against an older opposition was very impressive, even though I feel [that] a lot of work still needs to be done.
“The players demonstrated that they can pull together and play some good attacking football, especially when the team is behind on the score board.
“The boys showed that they can support each other with ball possession and without ball possession, which are the fundamentals of game play”, Calabria said.
Calabria is looking forward to the season ahead and has set a clear goal for his side.
“The goal I have set, is my philosophy which is to have a good strong defence whilst playing out from the back with short accurate passes to create goal scoring opportunities.
“ Of course the instrumental goals have to be achieved to enhance my philosophy, for example to perfect the following, 1v1, first touch, running with the ball and striking the ball (left and right foot)”, Calabria concluded.
The Premier Development Program’s competition is set to commence in April and will include 5 other Premier League teams, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Blacktown City FC, Rockdale City Suns, APIA and Sydney United FC, as well as, Stale League side Northbridge FC.
The SOFC PDP teams will take on the Rockdale City Suns in their first fixture of the inaugural 2012 season at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday 1st April 2012, prior to the Sydney Olympic FC Reserve Grade kick-off. Don’t miss your chance to see our 'Junior Blues' in Action in 2012 and witness the future stars of tomorrow.
www.sydneyolympicfc.com/news/2012/02/23/a-pathway-to-success/
posted by on February 23, 2012
Sydney Olympics’ focus on the development of domestic based talent intensified with the launch of the Premier Development Program at the conclusion of the 2011 season. The Premier Development Program (PDP) is an elite talent based program that provides players aged between 10-12 with a pathway into the NSW Premier Youth League.
Hundreds of enthusiastic young players attended the Premier Development Program trials, causing a selection headache for the PDP U/12’s coach Enzo Calabria. With an abundance of players to consider, Calabria welcomed the selection conundrum and was impressed with the talent that was amongst him.
“The level of talent experienced was of a high standard with solid technical abilities on display.
“Players from all levels came to trial, which was encouraging and also gave me a challenge to pick a group of individual players which I could develop to become better players”, Calabria said.
After conducting several trials, Calabria decided upon his team and selected a squad of sixteen U/12 players.
“My initial thoughts when I selected the 16 players was [that] I have a well balanced team where I can work with players who are willing to learn and are also keen to learn from each other”, he said.
Calabria believes that the PDP is beneficial for young footballers that wish to obtain a high standard of coaching within a Premier League environment.
“The benefit of the PDP is that the players are definitely receiving quality coaching to become a complete player within a Premier League Club environment,
” Where standards are high and every player has a common goal to achieve success”, Calabria added.
The PDP focuses primarily on the development of players rather than the achievement of results. A focus which Calabria believes is paramount and of high importance.
“ The Development of young players is my foremost priority, technique is extremely important and awareness is a very close second ”, he said.
The governing body, Football Federation Australia introduced a National Curriculum, which focused on strengthening Youth Development in Australia. The Curriculum itself acts as a guide for Australian clubs and identifies the ideal players that clubs should strive to produce, players who are equipped with exceptional skills and technical abilities.
Australia has no shortage of emerging talents but Calabria believes that these gifted players will need to be tweaked and developed by quality coaches with great efficiency.
“Australian clubs should develop coaches to develop Youth. It is a priority for clubs to provide or send coaches for Education to FFA coaching courses to give the best possible training to youth [players]” Calabria said.
Calabria himself possesses several coaching accreditations and advocates the use of several methods, such as, repetition during his training sessions. Calabria encourages his players to learn in high-pressure environments, which replicate situations that the players may encounter during their games.
Calabria also believes that no time limit should be implement on his players learning and uses encouragement as a method to help his players succeed and meet their goals as a team.
“The technique/ methods I use to develop the U/12 players, is repetition, repetition, repetition, this is used to get the best out of the players.
“All is practiced within an environment where it is intense, so that the players can be put under pressure and be taught how to handle pressure.
“I demonstrate the technique and give them time to develop the practice but there is no time limit implemented on the practice. I just don't move on to the next subject.
“I also make sure that every player is on the same playing field with encouragement of course”, Calabria, explained.
SOFC technical director Tom Alexakis believes that players aged between 12-16 must ‘train to learn’ the essential football skills in order to develop, a belief that is also upheld by Calabria.
“I totally agree with Tom's statement 'Train to Learn'. The players in the U/12s should learn and develop the following skills and techniques, 1v1, running with the ball, striking the ball and first touch, [but] not in any particular order.
“ I also teach my players about the importance of communication and teach them how to use both feet”, Calabria said.
The U/12 PDP side is currently in pre-season training and had their first hit out as a team against an older Under 13s Division 1 outfit. The junior ‘Blues’ side obtained a 4-4 draw with their opposition and issued a courageous and impressive performance. However, Calabria believes that there is definitely room for improvement.
“The first game together against an older opposition was very impressive, even though I feel [that] a lot of work still needs to be done.
“The players demonstrated that they can pull together and play some good attacking football, especially when the team is behind on the score board.
“The boys showed that they can support each other with ball possession and without ball possession, which are the fundamentals of game play”, Calabria said.
Calabria is looking forward to the season ahead and has set a clear goal for his side.
“The goal I have set, is my philosophy which is to have a good strong defence whilst playing out from the back with short accurate passes to create goal scoring opportunities.
“ Of course the instrumental goals have to be achieved to enhance my philosophy, for example to perfect the following, 1v1, first touch, running with the ball and striking the ball (left and right foot)”, Calabria concluded.
The Premier Development Program’s competition is set to commence in April and will include 5 other Premier League teams, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Blacktown City FC, Rockdale City Suns, APIA and Sydney United FC, as well as, Stale League side Northbridge FC.
The SOFC PDP teams will take on the Rockdale City Suns in their first fixture of the inaugural 2012 season at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday 1st April 2012, prior to the Sydney Olympic FC Reserve Grade kick-off. Don’t miss your chance to see our 'Junior Blues' in Action in 2012 and witness the future stars of tomorrow.
www.sydneyolympicfc.com/news/2012/02/23/a-pathway-to-success/
