The FFSA is collaborating with the SA Government to deliver a Football program at a SA Super School.
Delivering quality Football development through the schools is a tried and tested system. Why aren't we doing it in the ACT?
“Football (Soccer) in the North is experiencing unprecedented growth and demand for the code is outstripping supply of available facilities. Suburbs surrounding Gepps Cross have large numbers of new arrivals and their sport of choice is Football (Soccer). The establishment of a Football/Soccer program at the school will add to the educational options that students can access. Linking sport to education is a major focus of Football Federation SA.” CEO of Football Federation SA said.
Several Private Schools in the ACT insist on their students playing for the school, two of them provide teams to Clubs in the Premier League. Some are most insisten than others. For most parents this is no problem, because its no more than they want for their children. Where Football is concerned, these few schools have come under criticism for seeking to hold on to their students (except where they cannot offer a high enough standard of competition) and have them play for the school rather than Clubs (while at school). For most of the parents at these private schools, the intergration of sport (in this case football) as a co-curricular activity has tremendous advantages in the development of the young citizen - and it all happens as part of their school experience. If you pay a lot of money in school fees, you are not much interested in what Capital Football thinks, but you do want your child to have a quality Football experience. These schools must respond to this internal demand. Some even have informal arrangements / contacts with Clubs and in the case of the Marist and Radford who provide the PL16 and PL18 teams for ANU and Cooma respectively, it is a very serious committment by the school.
With a bit of creative thinking, it just might be possible to enable connections between all schools and Clubs. Why not? After all, there is no School based competition.
So a question immediately springs to mind - Is the strategic initiative being undertaken in SA being discussed at the Capital Football Board? If not why not? And if so, who no action? What dialogue (if any has been undertaken between CF and the ACT Government on this matter?
The FFSA initiative is far sighted and covers off on so many of the obstacles / limitations we experience today here in the ACT Region.
It would be foolish to imagine that it just can't all be done by Capital Football. But we need new business models going forward that will allow us to provide football sports opportunities to our children, in a sport (like so many) that now demands a whole of year engagement if our young players are to be as good as they want to be. The initiative must come from Capital Football. What we have done in the past is good but we must do better - and quickly. We can't wait decades!
If you recall an interview we did last year after the inaugural Under 13 Boys Nationals, in which the ACT team preformed so poorly, it was the WA team that impressed. The WA Coach remarked that they were beginning to incorporate Football specific programs in selected schools.
Now take your mind forward to the outstanding performance of the FFA's South Australian NTC (called SASI) earlier this year at the NTC Challenge run by the FFA, again here in the ACT. They were well in front of every other State / Terrirtory teams from a technical perspective. Now we know why - they are getting organised and making it count at the junior levels. That's the lesson from both WA and SA.
Then reflect on the very recent tour Nara Ichijo FC High School team and how tightly integrated Football development is through the Japanese school system (and with other sports). If you saw any of thee games they played against Clubs, ACTAS and AIS you must have been struck by the technical superirority of these 17/18 year old boys and then you think to yourself - how do we get to be that good? Well the fact is, inspite of all that has been done in the last couple of years, it is not enough to bridge the gap. Not yet.
Are we slow learners or just complacent? We must learn from these examples and ensure we do something like it that works for us in the ACT.
Football Federation SA partners the Gepps Cross Super School - March 10, 2010
Football Federation SA has been in discussion with the Department of Education and Children Services to offer a dedicated Football program to students attending the school. The positive development will attract a great deal of interest from school aged children in the surrounding suburbs.
The Super School is scheduled to open in Term 1 of 2011 and will provide educational opportunities for up to 1300 students.
Establishment of a Football specific program for students attending the new multi-campus school at Gepps Cross will further enhance their educational and sporting opportunities.
“Being provided with an opportunity to run a Football/Soccer specific program at the Super School is great for our code. Previous experiences with school programs of this kind shows that demand for entry into such a program will enhance the interest of students wanting to attend the school.
“Football (Soccer) in the North is experiencing unprecedented growth and demand for the code is outstripping supply of available facilities. Suburbs surrounding Gepps Cross have large numbers of new arrivals and their sport of choice is Football (Soccer). The establishment of a Football/Soccer program at the school will add to the educational options that students can access. Linking sport to education is a major focus of Football Federation SA.” CEO of Football Federation SA said.
Super School Principal, Sandy Richardson said she was delighted to offer a Football/Soccer specific program for students, “The school will offer a range of education and sporting activities for students. The school’s focus will be on excellence at every level. Creating a partnership with Football Federation SA will assist us in achieving that.”
On Friday the 26th of February, Football Federation SA released details surrounding a proposed development of a multi pitch venue at State Sports Park, Gepps Cross. The facility will cater for in excess of 230,000 playing participants per year. In addition the facility will act as an education hub for Coaches and Referees and provide quality experiences for parents and spectators alike. The opportunity to complement the Super School facilities is a responsible approach in addressing the shortage of playing facilities in the surrounding area.
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