Football West is excited to announce it is launching the Football Australia Academy for 2025.
The Football Australia Academy will cater for talented boys from ages 12 to 15 with the focus on player development.
It aligns with Football Australia’s new 10-Year National Technical Strategy and is integrated with the advanced pathway program across the country.
The Football West-run Academy has been developed with input from multiple levels of football governance and is designed to prepare young talent for progression into higher levels, including the A-League and national representation.
It has been endorsed by the Football Australia Board and national team Head Coaches, as well as the Football West Board and Game Development Committee.
The full-time boys’ program will operate side by side with Football West’s girls’ NTC program which has seen recent graduates such as Georgia Cassidy, Ruby Cuthbert and Ischia Brooking play in the A-League Women’s competition, as well as being selected for junior national team representation.
Football Australia Chief Football Officer Ernie Merrick said the Football Australia Academy offered the game a clear pathway for the identification and development of Australian talent.
“The timing for the Football Australia Academy to be implemented in Western Australia as a full-time program has never been more important,” he said.
“This aligns with the National Technical Strategy and direction with the launch of the Football Australia Academy model integrated with our Member Federations.
“Working with young players, Football West, supported by Football Australia, can create a positive developmental environment for both coaches and players that will assist this cohort in progressing their football journey and continuing the strong record of development in Western Australia.”
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell said the new Academy would offer talented boys the best opportunity to take their game to the highest possible level.
“Football West is thrilled to launch the Football Australia Academy and we look forward to working directly with Football Australia in developing the next generations of West Australian talent,” he said.
“This wasn’t a decision made lightly but made with the best interests of the game as a whole, both for WA and Australia.
“The Football Australia Academy will operate to enhance the technical skills, tactical understanding and high-performance behaviours of players in WA. There is a clear development focus throughout the program. The Football Australia Academy also allows for the identification and progression of coaches, both those in the program and those with the local clubs.
“The Football Australia Academy will expand opportunities for young players across metropolitan, regional and rural areas, ensuring a broader and more inclusive pathway for talent. This approach is designed to complement, not compete with, local club programs.”
Mr Harnwell added: “The Football Australia Academy will be accessible to all families of talented players. Regional players in particular will have a unique opportunity to be able to play games in the metropolitan competitions, whilst still being able to play for their local club in their home association.
“With the support of Football Australia, Football West will be able to minimise costs for both boys and girls to participate in a high-quality, development environment.”
Information on trials will be released shortly.
--- ENDS ---