Football NSW host Talent Identification matches
Some of New South Wales’ best young footballers were given the chance to impress Australia’s U17 National Team Head Coach Trevor Morgan as Football NSW hosted a special Talent Identification evening at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday.
Morgan, alongside Australia’s U17 National Team Manager Marty Judge and a host of various National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s and Hyundai A-League Academy Technical Directors witnessed elite matches on show, casting their eyes on future talent.
Morgan, in particular, indicated the important role these elite matches played in the process of selecting the next crop of rising young Australian stars.
“It is important to note that Talent ID is an ongoing process and our aim to unearth and nurture talented players through their youth development years with the aim of helping them become a Socceroo.
“Elite Matches are vital to the Talent ID process for Australian National Youth Teams.
“They bring together talented players identified from club matches, TSP programs and schools football.
“They provide the players with extra match experience in their age group often much higher than club football can offer and another opportunity to press their case for National Team selection.
“We aim to provide extra capture points for talent, the stimulus to improve and much needed match experience at high intensity.
“Matches such as the ones at Valentine Sports Park are filmed, coded and shared within the FFA Technical network.
“Often GPS data is taken and used to help monitor the level of the match and compare athletes in different states.
“Players are selected by National Team staff with the support and collaboration with club and Member Federation Technical Directors.
“The matches are also a measuring stick.
“These Technical Directors often assist on match days by comprising a Technical Study Group to identify talent, assess the level of the match, suggest improvements and recommend other players for future inclusion.
“Football NSW staff, as shown on Wednesday, are working hard to ensure players in NSW have the support and opportunity to succeed and are constantly looking to make the Elite Match environment top class.”
Football NSW Technical Director Warren Grieve understood the important role these matches played with the overall development of the world game within the state.
“These Elite Matches play an integral role in our overall selection policy for talent identification.
“These games play a part in the selection of Football NSW State Teams, while also allowing us to help and assist the National Teams Unit with their selection of players for the Joeys and other National Teams moving forward.”
While finally, Football NSW Talented Players Pathways Manager Drew Taylor also acknowledged the importance of such events at Valentine Sports Park play in the selection process.
“Being able to bring Trevor Morgan and his key Joeys staff for these Elite Matches forms an important part of our broader player identification process.
“These matches bring together players from National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Clubs, the Football NSW TSP and various Hyundai A-League Academies and provide further opportunities for players in NSW to be identified by National Team staff.
“Moving forward, we will continue to strive to provide the best possible environment and opportunities for potentially talented player development, identification and selection.”
