Talent Development
Talent
EPFC Aim:
To take a group of talented footballers and develop their skills and understandings in all aspects of football in order to achieve common team goals and to maximise their potential and opportunity to play at WAFL league or AFL level.
One of our clubs most important core values is the importance of a positive club culture. Football is a team game; therefore it is essential that your team has a high level of team chemistry/camaraderie. As football is so reliant on teamwork and trust out on the field, it is recommended that this is translated off the field. Here at East Perth, our coaches have an excellent relationship with players at all levels. Through meetings (formal and social) the coaches are able to understand tendencies, personalities, and abilities of players at all levels (development squads through to senior). Positive team chemistry lays the foundation for a successful team. The following are a set of examples that you can use to improve team chemistry within your club.
· Create a players ‘code of conduct’
· Organise social events to boost morale and learn more about your players
· Create a team itinerary highlighting playing and social events
The East Perth Football Club prides itself on having a squad of players who are some of the most skilful in the WAFL competition. Our coaches work exceptionally hard with all playing groups to ensure that our players are versatile (can play a number of positions) along with possessing excellent speed and skill disposal. The most important phase of a young footballer’s junior career is between the ages of 12-17. The following is a list of skills that coaches should teach their team on a constant basis, in order to fast track their overall skill development:
· Effectively dispose of the football on both sides of the body (hand & foot)
· Emphasise decision making (Game like situation drills)
· Game sense skills (awareness, intuition, reaction to game-like situations)
· ‘One percent’ Skills (Blocking, shepherding, spoiling, smothering)
· Team related skills (select drills which involve the whole team and encourage multiple exchanges of the footy)
Development Squads
The main aims of the development squad programs is to provide talented players and developing coaches the experience of being involved at a higher level whilst providing them with an insight into their WAFL Club. Also to give all players the opportunity to be involved in a quality learning environment and have the chance to be viewed playing against their own age group from other districts.
The WAFL 15’s program starts in the April school holidays with participants training throughout the year and playing games throughout the July and October school Holidays. The WAFL 14's begin in August / September culminating in a carnival during the October school holidays. Players, who are residentially bound to a WAFL club are divided into 2 groups and play against other WAFL club squads. i.e. 14 year olds at all clubs are divided into 1 team made up of players who are born from January to June and the other from July to Dec. Approximately 35 players per team (140 overall between 14's and 15's) participate in the carnival. Teams only play against the equivalent age group at other clubs.
The WAFL 16's Development squad program is an extension of the 15's carnival and is played in March/ April period. Players from the 15's carnival begin an extended program running from December up until the carnival in March/ April. Players are exposed to a WAFL Colts like pre-season program with the main focus on skill development. Each WAFL club has 1 team that participated in the WAFL 16's carnival. This carnival's purpose is to further develop players and to provide an opportunity to select a state 16's squad to compete in the AFL NAB National Championships in July.
The East Perth Development Squads pride themselves on their well drilled professional and disciplined approach to each game of football they participate in. They endeavor to be ruthless on their attack of the footy and work as a team with a never say die, never give in attitude. They play accountable and disciplined style of footy and when they walk off the ground, they are able to look each team mate in the eye knowing they have given everything they can possibly give.
With a full time position dedicated to the role of talent development, East Perth FC are able to closely monitor and manage the talented player pathway. If you have any questions regarding this please contact:
Jamie Ball
Player Development Manager
East Perth Football Club
Ph: 9443 2259
