The NWSF Development Centres, powered by NWS Spirit FC, supports the ongoing development of our local players by providing training opportunities for players throughout the season. The Development Centres are players from U8s to U18s, for all genders.
This six week Preseason program aims to provide local club players with additional training to support their preparations heading into the NWSF competition season. It also helps prepare players for the Academy trials in late April/early May.
What are we coaching?
Our NWSF DNA focuses on the development of the personal qualities we believe great players require to progress through the pathway.
These qualities are…
Smart
People who understand the game and link this to the skills needed to perform
Skilful
People who have highly effective & adaptive skills and decision-making under pressure
Athletic
People who are consistently available and prepared for the various demands of football and life
Relentless
People who constantly strive to develop themselves and are resilient to challenges & setbacks
Tribal
People who are committed to their environments and the people within them
We believe that high-quality people develop these qualities as a result of their environment and their experiences playing the game.
The Development Centres sit within the ‘talent foundations’ of our pathway, which is defined as “fun environments where players begin to show potential, love playing and want to play as much as they can, while being involved in other sports or activities”.
Accordingly, our Development Centres focus on..
- A games-based approach where players can develop their love of the game
- A high ball-rolling time to enable lots of opportunities to develop football actions
- A focused, competitive environment where the coach encourages good decisions and actions
“The Development Centres was a fun, positive way for my child to develop their football. I really appreciated the time and attention my child received during each session”
Parent of a Development Centre participant
As the focus of the NWSF DNA is on developing people, we focus on the individual actions each player can develop to ‘bring the DNA qualities to life’.
This includes…
- Encouraging players to keep the ball, especially by using both feet to receive the ball, to move the ball away from defenders, and to pass with both feet
- Encouraging players to score goals, by getting themselves and the ball into poacher positions constantly
- Encouraging players to be dominant defenders, willing to be aggressive in 1v1 duels & win the ball back quickly
Over the next six weeks, you’ll hear these actions constantly encouraged through a variety of training games by our coaches.