Football NSW host successful TSP Tournament
Football NSW concluded two days of high-level Boys Youth Football with a Talent Support Program (TSP) Tournament for Under 15 and U16 players at Valentine Sports Park this past week.
Featuring five TSP hubs from Metropolitan Sydney, two TSP hubs from Country NSW, and the Newcastle Jets A-League Academy, the event was part of Football NSW’s ongoing efforts to provide development and identification opportunities for potentially talented players.
The Tournaments enabled both Football NSW, and FA Technical staff to observe and benchmark players and TSP hubs in a tournament setting while also allowing them to observe trends across the playing groups to further inform coach and player development throughout 2022 and beyond.
Football NSW’s incoming Player Development Manager – Boys, Phil Myall was happy with what he saw during the course of the week.
“These tournaments form an important part of our Talent Support Program and give both players and coaches opportunities to develop and showcase their talents.
“It was very pleasing that many players and teams demonstrated a good understanding of the key behaviours we are looking for and which are linked to the national playing style.
“I would also like to thank players, coaches, parents/guardians for working together in the difficult climate created by Covid in order to make sure that we could complete the tournament in safe environment for everyone.
“With more TSP Tournaments scheduled for school holidays which will all include Hyundai A-League Academy clubs, and potentially other Member Federations TSPs, these are a great chance for players to further showcase themselves in front of National Team staff, while also providing a great opportunity for technical directors and coaches in NSW to both observe high level football and engage in the workshops that we facilitate as part of these tournaments.”
National Technical Director Trevor Morgan, and Junior Data Analyst Alex Turner were also present across the two days with Morgan and Turner delivering a workshop on talent identification which was attended by various members of the local football community including NPL and Association Technical Directors.
“To be able to not only deliver tournament style football over the last two days but under the current circumstances with so much uncertainty it was incredibly pleasing,” said Football NSW’s Technical Director Warren Grieve.
“The football played throughout demonstrated the importance of these events allowing the National Team Unit to observe potential.
“We have placed a lot of emphasis on collaborating with both Associations and NPL clubs.
“It was great to see some Technical Directors in attendance not only supporting the event but also assisting with the Talent Identification.
“This will be a feature of how we will continue to identify potential, and furthermore develop individuals.”
Football NSW Regional Football Development Manager, Andrew Fearnley paid tribute to the event that identified future County football stars.
“The TSP Game Day provides the Regional Players an opportune environment to challenge themselves in high level football and it assists greatly in continued player development as well as insight for the Coaches on how to progress players individually.”
Representatives from St George FA, Football South Coast, Nepean FA, Macarthur FA, North West Sydney FA, Highlands Soccer Association, Eastern Suburbs FA, Marconi Stallions, Northern Tigers, Macarthur FC, Sydney FC, Sydney University SFC, Westfields High all attended in what was a well-run workshop.
