Ante Juric ready for Under 14s Skilleroos challenge

The former towering defender who played for the likes of Sydney United, Sydney Olympic, APIA Leichhardt Tigers as well as playing abroad in Portugal, Norway and Malaysia has been pretty impressed with the new batch of players coming through the system for 2012.
?The new batch of players have obvious talent and are full of potential, however they are a work in progress. 
?Many players in this squad have represented their state and many have been selected in All-Star teams at State Titles, which highlights their potential. 
?With this they are a group that are on the small side in stature, however, importantly they are technically sound. 
?We will need to work on their understanding of the game more in terms of tactics, game awareness and decision making and then in a few years we hope to see them succeed and become professional footballers. 
?I do see a few of these boys going a long way in the game with the right guidance and personal desire and self-discipline to succeed.?
Juric spent a considerable amount of time scouting players for his new squad and explained to Football NSW the process? behind selecting a player for the Skilleroos squad.
 ?Players were identified over the course of last year. 
?A large number of games were attended by scouts and myself and players assessed. 
?The culmination of this was a list of players, who were asked to attend a few sessions, from which a final squad was selected. 
?I have selected only 14 boys to date and am possibly looking to fill one or two spots with equally impressive young players of potential.? 
Juric lamented that as an up and coming coach, there are a number of objectives he hopes to achieve during the course of his development phase as a coach but strictly stated that he wanted to see his young chargers improve as footballers and progress to the next level. 
?My objective is to improve them individually as players and improve them as players in team functioning. 
?Ideally the improvements are to set them up for further elite football and hopefully international football. 
?This is an important age in a players tactical development and the mental aspect of their game, therefore I am looking to maximise their learning and development in these departments of their football. 
?I am looking to give the players the right tools and to pass on my experiences on what it takes to play at the highest levels, optimising their chances of succeeding. 
?If I see internationals come from this group in the coming years I will be very proud.?
With so many good young Australian players coming through the ranks, Juric enjoyed watching young players develop, learn and achieve their goals.
?I enjoy coaching and I love the thought of passing on my experiences and knowledge I gained and have as an ex-player, teacher and now coach. 
?To see players respond, improve and succeed in the game are greatly rewarding as a coach. 
?Coaching elite players is something that I especially enjoy, as most are humble, have an immense drive to succeed and want to learn and better themselves.?
Ante has had a decorated past as a player, plying his trade in Europe as well as playing top level football in Australia ? but he?s also excelled as a coach as he is currently the Australian U13 and U14 coach as well as assisting Ian Crook at the NSWIS.
?I have been lucky enough to have represented my country at senior, U23s and U20 levels. 
?In addition, I have played professionally for about 14 years in Australia, Portugal, Norway and Malaysia. 
?As a coach I am with the Australian U13s/14s as head coach, however this year saw no side attend the Friendship games.
?I am also currently working with the NSWIS boys as the Assistant to Ian Crook, who is second to none as a coach, someone I respect and learn off every day. 
?In addition to this I am all about educating myself and have just completed my A-Licence Coaching badge with the FFA and have graduated with a Masters in Education/Sports coaching this year, this has followed my previous degrees in Sports Science and Secondary Education.?
Skilleroos Under 14s Squad
1. Cameron Kemp (GK)
2. Daniel Alessi
3. Joe Caletti
4. Troy Cheung
5. Hassan Dagher
6. Jack Stewart
7. James Temelovski
8. Jordan Pyne
9. Jackson Bandiera
10. Zach Speth
11. Bradley Smith
12. Gian Mendez
13. Nick Sullivan
14. George Vagerakas
-By Mark Stavroulakis