Nearly 150 players from the QBE Sydney Swans Academy experienced football at the highest level in NSW when they took part in the Joss State Trials in Albury.
The State Trials, for the Under 13 and Under 14 age groups, are the first taste of representative football for many boys, and the competitive spirit always rises as the QBE Sydney Swans Academy takes on teams from the GWS Giants Academy.
The QBE Sydney Swans Academy selects three teams of 24 in each age group, and tries to ensure every team is equally balanced with talent. The Giants selection process is more regionally based, due to the nature of their NSW zone.
Swans Academy general manager Chris Smith congratulated all players who participated. He said the three-day carnival was a great experience for all young Academy footballers, regardless of team results or how individuals performed.
“The boys get to play heaps of football, there is a fantastic camaraderie and they can really experience what steps they should take to improve from here,’’ Chris said.
“The boys are only 13 and 14, so whether they performed to the level they wanted or not, the main thing is that it provides the opportunity to learn and understand what’s required to go to the next level.’’
The Academy always takes a long-term view of players’ development, as boys mature physically and emotionally at different rates.
“We are also very aware that the Giants’ squads are from areas of NSW where they tend to play more football at a younger age. That means their teams at this age group tend to be a bit more advanced, more confident and physically stronger.
“That’s why this experience is so critical for our Swans Academy boys, and we find that they really take steps forward after this carnival. And in a year or two, once most boys have physically matured, that gap can be bridged.’’
However the carnival does provide the Academy coaches with a guide to each boys’ strengths and areas for improvement, compared to others in their age group.
General feedback will be provided for every player in the following weeks. Performance is assessed on five key criteria:
- Skill level
- Running capacity
- Game sense and decision-making
- Competitiveness
- Professionalism
When assessing skill level, coaches want players to be able to hit targets by hand and foot, or move the ball to a teammate’s advantage. Clean ball handling, under pressure and in contested situations, is a highly valued attribute.
A player’s ability to run strongly throughout the entire match is also highly valued, as is the willingness to run both ways – that is, when their team has the ball or the opposition has the ball.
Game sense refers to the player’s ability to play and understand a number of positions, as well as his ability to make smart decisions with the ball.
Smith said one of the most important characteristics for any player was competitiveness. “That is non-negotiable. We are looking for boys who refuse to give in and continually display a high work rate, both when their team has the ball and when defending.
“The competitor is often the individual who steps up when the game is in the balance or there to be won – tackling, smothering, spoiling to help his team.’’
While the boys are still young, the coaches are already assessing how professional they are, with respect to their attitude, preparation and recovery, and doing everything possible to improve.
Smith said to get the most benefit from the carnival, and to get ahead of their peers, boys needed to be self-motivated to practice over the coming summer, even if it was just a few times a week.
“To improve requires practice, effort and discipline. Now is the time for boys to focus on how they can get better, taking into account what they learned at the carnival.
“The summer months provide the best opportunity to practice skills, while others are taking a holiday. It's when we see a sizeable amount of improvement. Parents notice the difference when their son puts the time in, and the coaches certainly notice it the following season.
“My strong message to boys is to practice your skills – don’t leave it to mum and dad or your coaches to drive it. Take control of your own development, because even at 13, you are your own boss.’’
