Five Principals of Elite Youth Development

COERVER Coaching Oceania has identified and adopted the following five principals as the ethical and moral obligation necessary for the formation of any elite youth development program.

In light of the above principals the following guidelines are the recommentations suggest for implmentation of any elite Academy, and is the basis of the design of COERVER Coaching Oceania elite programs.

1. Best Players (A Pathway)

For an elite program there must be a selection process. For players to benefit from the above guidelines elite players need to compete with other elite players. This creates the competitive mix that pushes players to better themselves and each other. Elite Academies cannot include players of mixed abilities and a wide variation of different age groups.

It is essential that players understand the pathway in which the academy promotes players to progress from grass roots. this must include long term goals to represent the Region or State and then their Country. The primary focus must be for developing technically and tactically sound players for their club.

2. Curriculum (Annual Periodised Plan)

Each academy must submit for approval prior to commencement the Annual Periodised Plan based on the following:

• Number of training sessions per week (micro-cycles)
• Number of training weeks per year (macro-cycles, single/multi-peak)
• Duration of each session
• Topics that are to be presented at each training session (field/workshops)
• Reporting procedures (technological/physiological)
• Testing techniques (technological/physiological)
• Evaluation measures for improvement
• Session plans (each session must be documented/assessed)
• Monitoring of school reports (time management)

3. Best Coaches (Coaching Accreditation)

Each coach who is conducting practical sessions within the Academy must have a minimum coaching accreditation with Soccer Australia and the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. The following guidelines for the accredited coaches within the Academy structures are as follows:

• Minimum of senior license for all coaches
• Each coach must work towards his/her State license within two years of involvement within any Academy structure
• Each coach must attend the Annual Workshop for elite academy coaches conducted by the NSW Soccer Federation
• Attendance at bi-annual regional updates conducted by the manager/Technical Director
• Attend where possible overseas camps/programs with the aim of being exposed to the latest methods and trends around the world
• A strong understanding of the principals of teaching, and a sports science background is preferred

4. Best Facilities (Environment for Learning)

To create an environment that both promotes and is conductive to learning for elite players involves using the best facilities. The following guidelines in reference to facilities and equipment required is as follows:

• A flat grass/artificial surface, well maintained, free from dangerous hazards
• Soccer balls (correct size per age group, well maintained)
• Soccer nets in goals (shooting net is highly recommended)
• Adequate number of highly visible markers
• Bibs and shirts for easy identification
• Poles/portable goals targets
• Speed equipment (ladders, hurdles, breakaway belts, bungee)
• testing equipment for technological/physiological profiling

5. No Commercial Interest (Act in Best Interest of Player)

Elite Development Programs cannot have a commercial interest in which the primary goal is to sell players locally or overseas for financial gain. The focus must be on development of the elite soccer player both on the field and off the field.

Contractual arrangements between players and Academies should not be necessary for players aged between 9-14 years. Within these age groups the focus should be on fun and learning without the pressure of future success. Players of this age are guided by parent decisions. Often parents expectations may exceed the player's own expectations and hence may result in devastating consequences. Individuals who profit from these players who are successful will not care for the best interest of the player who is not successful.

Copyright (c) 2002 Paul Bentvelzen and Oscar Gonzalez