Expanding clubs’ development pathways is a key aspect of the FFA’s vision for the sport in the next 20 years.
In the federation’s Whole of Football Plan that gives a 20-year blueprint for the sport, they’re expecting to see a ‘football community’ of 15 million and a more cultivated grassroots program.
The aim is to increase the meagre 24 elite spots currently at the FFA Centre of Excellence in Canberra to 3000 by streamlining talent identification with all A-League clubs and National Premier League clubs to have accredited academies for players aged from 12 to 19.
This will hopefully eliminate the need for young Australians to head overseas for elite development.
These academies will also be supported by a program to develop high-performance schools across the country.
FFA boss David Gallop said the program was to be piloted in NSW schools in 2015-16.
Socceroos legend Harry Kewell was a product of Westfields Sports High School in Sydney.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou believes a clear development system will be integral to finding the next superstar.
“The more immediate need for me is talent ID,” Postecoglou said.
“I’ve seen it even at national level. I’m selecting guys who aren’t on the normal radar and look how fruitful it’s been for us, like a Massimo Luongo or guys like that.
“The reality is that they’re out there anyway – we just don’t know them.
“Schools are the easiest way, if we can tap into that and give them better coaches in their schools.
“If at the age of 15 or 16 they’re getting encouragement from within our system through academies maybe there won’t be the need to go overseas.”