NPL WA Technical Meeting WA NPL Club Youth Licence Coaching Criteria NATIONAL TECHNICAL NETWORK SEMINAR 2013

Mission Statement The Football Federation of Australia is committed to a National Player Development Pathway that gives equal opportunities and choice to players throughout the country. The focus of the NPL Youth Development Program is the “Holistic development of the Player using the Building Blocks as set out in the National Curriculum”.

The 3 Pillars

Mission FFA launched the NPL (Pillar 3) with the explicit intention of providing a bridge in the development of elite players whilst establishing a ‘Club Model’ in which best practice across 10 key areas is benchmarked. They are: 1. Teams 6. Finance 2. Youth Development 7. Organisational Structure 3. Coaching 8. Membership Protection 4. Governance 9. Medical 5. Facilities10. Reporting

Mission FFA launched the NPL (Pillar 3) with the explicit intention of providing a bridge in the development of elite players whilst establishing a ‘Club Model’ in which best practice across 10 key areas is benchmarked. They are: 1. Teams 6. Finance 2. Youth Development 7. Organisational Structure 3. Coaching 8. Membership Protection 4. Governance 9. Medical 5. Facilities10. Reporting

Youth Development Licence From January the 31st 2014 all clubs playing within the NPL will be required to meet the Youth Development Licence Criteria. The 2014 season will be a period of assimilation. The audit and support process will take place throughout 2014 and licences will be awarded from January Clubs not meeting the licence criteria by the conclusion of 2014 may be sanctioned. Clubs not meeting the criteria by the conclusion of 2016 may have their NPL status revoked or further sanctions imposed. It is the intention of the FFA and MF’s to support NPL clubs towards meeting the Youth Development Licence Criteria

The Licence Process Annual timetable for operation: Month Description Contact January Application for approval submitted by Club MF Technical Director March Initial Audit arranged and undertaken MF Auditor April Audit Report/Action plan submitted to club MF Auditor June/July 2nd Audit randomly completed MF Auditor August 2nd Audit Report /Action Plan submitted to club MF Auditor September Deadline to address action plan by club MF Auditor September Licence Re- issued for following year MF Technical Director To apply for their Youth Development Licence and initiate the audit process it will be the responsibility of each NPL Club to submit to the Member Federation Technical Director their Youth Development Licence Approval Form by January the 31 st, every season

The Licence Process Each NPL Club Youth Development program will have an audit inspection undertaken twice per year. The first audit will be prearranged; the second will be random. The structure and processes of the youth department will be scrutinised at these inspections and they will be expected to comply with the protocols set out in this resource. From the initial audit a report will be generated outlining any areas of concern. To secure and maintain their Youth Development Licence, clubs will be expected to address all areas of concern and associated issues resulting from the audit process within the timeframe stated within their report.

The Licence Process The second visit will determine if areas of concern have been addressed and standards have been met/maintained and compliance achieved. The FFA, through its Member Federations will undertake the audit and compile a report summarising the areas of compliance (or non – compliance) for each club and the relevant licencing body. It is a mandatory component of the NPL Criteria that clubs maintain their Youth Development Licence. No NPL club will receive an inspection without submitting the Youth Development Licence Approval Form. Any club, which is not audited twice in any one season may lose its Youth Development Licence or be sanctioned.

The Licence Process The National Premier Leagues Structure will operate under the FFA guidelines and therefore it is necessary for all clubs participating in the WA NPL to meet the Youth Development Criteria as set out by the FFA in detail in this document Licencing Although the initial NPL Licence may be granted for a period in excess of one year, the Youth Development Licence criteria will granted and audited annually. The initial period of audit will be season 2014 for Youth licences to be issued in September 2014 to come into force for season Criteria If for any reason the NPL Club does not meet the criteria required by September of each year then the offending NPL Club will be deemed not to be meeting its licensing obligations and as such may lose its licence to participate within the NPL or be subject to sanctions.

Age Groups Structure Youth Development Age Group Structure The WA NPL Youth Development must operate a minimum of 7 age groups for players aged under 12 to 20 The mandatory age groups are: U12; U13; U14; U15; U16; U18; U20 All age groups must be set by year of birth (January 1st) All Players must be insured Under the direction of the MF the structure should include girl’s age groups where possible

Technical Program There will be a minimum of the following contacts per week: Age Contact Contact Group MinimumMaximum U12 2 sessions plus a Match 2 sessions plus a Match U13 2 sessions plus a Match 3 sessions plus a Match U14 2 sessions plus a Match 3 sessions plus a Match U15 2 sessions plus and Match 3 sessions plus and Match U16 2 sessions plus and Match 3 sessions plus and Match U18 2 sessions plus and Match 4 sessions plus and Match U202 sessions plus and Match 4 sessions plus and Match

Coaching Program for SAP Each training session should be within the following time limits: U12/U13: 60 – 75 minutes (Skills Acquisition Phase) Content: Welcome/explanation 5mins Skill Introduction 15 – 20mins Skill Training 25 – 30mins Skill Game 20 – 25mins The stipulations above apply to Outfield players and Goal Keepers

Coaching Program for GTP Each training session should be within the following time limits: U14/U17: 75 – 90 minutes (Game Training Phase) Content: Welcome/Explanation 5mins Warm Up/ Passing Practice15 – 20mins Positioning Game 20mins Game Training Component 25 – 30mins Training Game 20 – 25mins Warm Down/Wrap up 5 – 10mins The stipulations above apply to Outfield players and Goal Keepers

Technical Program The Technical Program must comply with the National Curriculum The sessions will be delivered in blocks of 6 weeks Each 6 - week block will be known as one Cycle There should be the following minimum number of cycles per year 5 cycles for seasons 2014/15; 6 cycles for seasons 2016 Each age group must have a detailed program for each Cycle Each Week of each cycle must be detailed outlining what the objective of each session focuses upon

Technical Program For players within the Skill Acquisition Phase; this will detail which Core Skill is being focused upon and the Specific Aspect of the Core Skill in relation to the Team Model For players within the Game Training Phase: this will detail in which of the 4 main moments of the game is being focuses upon, The Session Objective and associated Team Task and Player Tasks in relation to the team model A record of all session plans for each session for each age group must be maintained Playing and Training loads must be managed properly and this should be done in consultation between the NPL Club TD and respective age Group Coaches

Technical Staff Each NPL Youth Development should have the coaching staff structure as set out below: Technical Positions Status M= Mandatory F= Flexible Technical Director M U20’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach M GK Coach M U18’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach M GK Coach F U16’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach F GK Coach F U15’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach F GK Coach F U14’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach F GK Coach F U13’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach F GK Coach F U12’s Head Coach M Assistant Coach F GK Coach F Coaches can only work with one age group TD’s CANNOT coach any Team within the club (or any other club)

Technical Staff Accreditation NPL Technical Staff minimum accreditation required Position Technical DirectorC Licence B Licence U20 Head CoachSenior Licence C Licence U20 Assist CoachSenior Licence C Licence U20 Gk CoachGk CertificateGk LicenceGk Diploma U18 Head CoachSenior Licence C Licence U18 Assist CoachSenior Licence C Licence U16 Head CoachSenior Licence C Licence U15 Head CoachYouth Licence C Licence U14 Head CoachYouth Licence C Licence U13 Head CoachYouth Licence C Licence U12 Head CoachJunior Licence C Licence All NPL coaches MUST attend Football West Annual Coaching Conference

Technical Staff Coach Recruitment & Accreditation The Recruitment of the Club Technical Director (TD) must involve the MF Technical Director. They should be party to the following: Short listing of the applicants Interviewing of those shortlisted The final appointment from those interviewed The NPL Club TD has the discretion to appoint all age group coaches Each NPL Club TD must attend 4 MF workshops per year – dates / venues TBC Each Club Coach must attend a minimum of 2 accredited workshops per year ( ) and a minimum 4 workshops per year (2016) All NPL Coaches must attend every year’s MF Coaching Conference It is the responsibility of all Club Youth Development Coaches to revalidate their qualifications as per FFA/AFC Criteria

Technical Staff Coach to Player Ratio It is recommended to have 1 qualified coach for every 16 players Where there are more than 16 players then it is recommended that 2 coaches to be appointed to that age group (assistant coach) To ensure that all aspects of the FFA Welfare guidelines are undertaken it is recommended that 2 coaches work with each group of players. Number of Registered Players within the Youth Development Program It is recommended that there be between 16 – 20 players registered in each age group (16 players for U12-U14 squads, and 18 players for U15- U18 squads) For players aged 12 and under the limit on the number of players the NPL club can register should be determined by the MF.

Technical Staff Fees Structure It is recommended that NPL Clubs reinvest 80% of income derived from its youth activities back into Youth Development All income the NPL Club derives from youth development must be recorded with details available at inspection Codes of Conduct Codes of conduct should be developed for coaches, parents & players Players, parents and coaches should sign a copy of the relevant Youth Development Code of Conduct, which should be made available for Inspection at Audit

Technical Staff Trials and Registration Players should be selected from the local partner clubs and geographical area surrounding the NPL/Youth Development catchment/cluster. The NPL Club TD will liaise with each club coach and assist with player trials for each age group Player Pathway Registered NPL players must be actively encouraged to State and National Programs NPL Clubs that discourage participation in the National Pathway will be sanctioned and may have their Youth Development Licence revoked NPL Clubs must apply in order to be sanctioned to travel overseas to attend tournaments or visit professional Academies

End of Part 1 Better Coaches, Better Football