Congratulations to the Academy players who have been selected to train with the NPL squads.
As part of Sunshine Coast FC’s football development pathway, Academy players who show particular potential are given the opportunity to start training with their age groups’ NPL team as shadow players.
SCFC Technical Director Kevin A’herne-Evans said these players would be able to have more exposure to NPL coaches to recognise and develop their potential.
“The main objective of the Academy is to continue the development of these players and allow them to step up and train with the NPL squads,” he said.
The Academy provides young footballers with a professional environment in which to develop the skills and playing style necessary to perform at a higher level, such as the NPL, and beyond.
The NPL coaches are able to closely observe players at Academy training and oversee their progression as footballers.
Academy players Matthew Cann, Oliver Blackmore and Jae Warren are now training with the Under 14 NPL squad, while Christian Chemello, Jan Capella and Ryan Mawditt are training with the Under 16s.
Academy Director Ben Cahn said he was pleased to see the progression of these talented players.
“Matthew Cann has impressed me in the last few weeks at the academy sessions,” Cahn said.
“He has worked hard to develop technically but most impressive has been his terrific attitude towards each session. He has settled in nicely with our NPL squad and I will look to involve him with the squad in at least two sessions a week. He is also on standby should we suffer any injuries or suspensions for the remainder of the season.”
“We have been very impressed by Oliver Blackmore’s commitment to continue to work hard and improve. It is good to see him at the academy actively trying to progress. Oliver has trained with our U14 NPL squad on numerous occasions this season. He has featured in one game this year and, like Matthew Cann, we want his form and confidence to be high so he is ready when he is called up to play for our NPL squad.”
Jae Warren was so impressive in the Academy early on in the year that he was signed permanently to our U14 NPL squad. Cahn said he had settled in really well to training and was starting to understand his roles and responsibilities.
“His performances on match days have been excellent and I fully expect them to keep improving,” he said.
Jan Kapera, Ryan Mawditt and Christian Chemello have joined the Under 16 NPL squad on similar terms. They have all been identified from the Academy program as talented players and have been given the chance to join the NPL squad on a training basis from now until the end of the season. These players will still play with their club teams while being eligible to feature in up to three NPL fixtures.
Under 16s Coach Dave Bensted said he was delighted to have Jan, Ryan and Christian as part of the Under 16s NPL squad.
“It is a credit to their dedication and the work they have put in during Academy training,” he said.
The Academy coaches will be looking closely at the Under 11 players in the coming weeks with the NPL trials only four or five months away.
Cahn said the coaches had also identified three or four Under 13 players they were expecting to trial strongly for next year’s NPL squad.