The Olympic FC Junior Development Program has been established to underpin the club’s Youth Academy program which aims to produce highly skilled players to play football at the highest level at both the club and representative level. Under the guidance of Verdi Maia, our Junior Director of Coaching, the Junior Development Program seeks to identify Olympic players who openly display a higher degree of technical football skill and ability than their club team mates.

The boys and girls selected to be part of the Junior Development Program will be given an opportunity to advance their skills and talents alongside equally gifted footballers within the club and within their age group.

The Junior Development Program outlines the following goals and objectives;

• Improving soccer skills ( individual techniques, teamwork and strategy )
• Improving physical fitness and performance ( strength, balance, running and stamina )
• Instilling greater self confidence ( individual player and the team )
• Providing assistance for individual player development needs where necessary.
• Educating players about the rules and history of the game.
• Developing attitudes of good sportsmanship and fair play.
• Developing a professional attitude in players ( both on and off the field ).
• Promoting attitudes of respect for themselves, other players, officials, and supporters.
• Promoting attitudes of loyalty to team, club and district representation.
• Providing opportunities for experience and career development.
• Providing guidance and advice on career prospects as a football player.
• Reinforcing player awareness of the importance of their general education.
• Providing young football talents with skills and confidence to pursue their dreams.

The Junior Director of Coaching uses only ONE criteria to assess the selection of a child into the Junior Development Program, ie. a child’s footballing skills and ability ( merit ). To remain within the program for the year, the child must adhere to the following rules;

• Players must attend Junior Development Training on a regular basis otherwise they will lose their place within the squad. If a player cannot attend squad training then they must notify Karen Ward who is Verdi’s administrative assistant on 0411821829.
• The player must continue to improve their footballing skills and ability.
• The player must openly display the improved knowledge and skills within a real game situation – the ability to think ahead, to think quickly under pressure, to read the game and use his acquired skills within the game.
• Players must attend training sessions wearing the appropriate football training kit to all training sessions ( boots, shin guards are compulsory ). Proper football shorts and shirts are preferred to other casual clothing. A water bottle should be brought to each training session. The sharing of water bottles is prohibited!
• Players are to remember that school education has priority over football training. If you cannot attend a particular training session because of school priorities ( camps, assignments or exams ) please advise the Development Registrar.

If a player is not selected to be part of the program, don’t be disheartened. Olympic realizes that all players develop at a different pace - some children take time to develop as a player. A player’s age level and the maturity of the child often plays an important part. If your child is not selected in 2010, they may be selected at a later date in time.