Developing Future Talent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

DEVELOPING FUTURE TALENT

LEADERS AND ROLE MODELS

Our club has a proud history of producing footballers to play at the highest level in both WA and the VFL/AFL. From the halcyon days of Stan (Pops) Heal, Bill Dempsey and Mel Whinnen, through to modern day AFL heroes such as Quinten Lynch, Mark Seaby, Mark Le Cras, Nathan van Berlo, Jack Darling, Stephen & Bradley Hill and more recently Oscar Allen, Liam Baker, Jaxon Prior & Heath Chapman.

The Falcons has always had a core interest in fostering young talent from within our zones and giving those players every opportunity to realise their potential.

The Falcons Talent Pathway starts with metro and country programs for players from 13 years of age and provides a continuous pathway for aspiring footballers through into our senior club and the AFL. With a highly credentialed group of development staff and well-resourced programs, we boast one of the most successful development systems in the WAFL, with more than 75% of our current senior squad hailing from our zone development programs and 10 Falcon players currently playing in the AFL.

Moving forward, the club is keen to see our talent system entice our growing multi-cultural and Indigenous populations into our national game, as well as providing greater opportunities and support to our aspiring country players to have the resources and support they need to realise their dreams.

OUR PURPOSE

The Falcons has grown to be much more than just a football club; we are an integral part of our aligned communities. The club serves to provide support, resources and brand profile through a diverse range of programs, competitions and community events.

From the club’s Strategic Plan, three of the four key pillars are devoted to Talent Development:

• Identifying talented players in both of our aligned regions and fostering development opportunities for these areas through to senior community football, WAFL and AFL ranks;
• Providing a club premises with the ability to facilitate both the development of football and support additional projects within the Joondalup community;
• Setting a standard for excellence in the WAFL competition through the professional standards we set in the recruitment and development of senior footballers.

FALCONS TALENT PATHWAY VISION

• 200 metro players enter our metro talent programs annually;
• 90% of our Colts squad has been through our Talent Pathway;
• 20% of the players in our talent pathway are from non–football backgrounds;
• 75% of our league squad come from our zoned areas;
• The club increases its talent pathway staff to include a staff member specifically dedicated to player welfare and social/ cultural development;
• The club has in place a “developing leaders” plan to further increase the educational opportunities for our emerging players.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

The following descriptions have been developed to ensure a clear understanding of the objectives and focus at each stage of a young player’s development. It begins with the Fundamental Stage (AFL junior), which includes all participants in the game and culminates in the Maintenance Stage (senior player). The transition stage, following a high performance career, generally refers to retirement from the game and is dependent on the individual’s circumstances and is not a considered to be a core stage nor is it a focus of this document, other than in the application of WAFL Club Academy exit procedures for those not drafted into the AFL.

THE STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT UNDERSTOOD

Fundamental Stage (5 – 11 years) – AFL Junior

Objective: participation and learning of fundamental movement and game skills.

Program is well structured and fun. The emphasis is on the overall development of the participant’s fundamental motor skills and physical capacities using game related skill development activities. This is a critical period for motor skill development. Correct running, jumping and basic game skills should be taught, with a specific focus on establishing effective kicking mechanics. Participation in a range of sports is encouraged for all round physical and game sense development. Simple rules and ethics are introduced.

Sampling Stage (12 – 14 years) – AFL Junior / Youth

Objective: learning all the fundamental skills of the game and development of basic physical capacities, while continuing to develop all round sports skills.

Players learn how to train and consolidate the basic skills of the game. They are introduced to technical and tactical skills, including position specific, and basic performance capacities - e.g. warm up, cool down, nutrition, hydration, recovery, goal setting, etc. This is a critical period for physical and skill development. Focus of training is on learning rather than competing and a balance between training and playing is struck. Participants should continue to play a range of sports for all round development. This includes initial identification for regional development squads.

Identification Stage (15 – 16 years) – AFL Youth

Objective: development of higher level skills of the game and physical capacities and initial selection into state talent development programs.

Optimise development of fitness capacities, individual, positional and team skills. Develop higher level competition skills and provide appropriate competition opportunities to enhance learning and the opportunity to be identified for talent pathway programs.

Specialising Stage (17 – 18 years)

Objective: development of higher level skills of the game and physical capacities and initial selection into state and national talent development programs, including the NAB AFL Academy.

Optimise development of fitness capacities, individual, positional, team and competition skills. Provide best competition program for development and opportunities to be drafted.

IDENTIFYING TALENTED PLAYERS

Talent is often defined as one who possesses certain skill, ability or expertise all of which is repeatable. Furthermore this talent is not reliant on physical size or strength. This is even more relevant in the case of the 13 to 17 year old players we look to engage in the West Perth Development Programs. Talent in football can come in a number of forms and any combination of attributes can make a promising player. At West Perth as a simple rule we follow the following five principles as a starting point.

Kicking Efficiency	Decision Making	Inside/Outside Play	Defensive Qualities	Pace versus Endurance
The player must be able to consistently hit targets both by hand and foot. Kick left and right and execute a variety of kicks.	Under pressure, the player must consistently use the best option under time and physical constraints.	Is the player strong in the contest, can they win the ball in tight contested areas? Or is the player better used on the outside because they have pace and good skills? Combination of both?	Competitiveness: - does the player have a never give up mentality? - does the player aggressively attack the football and their opponent? - does the player have the ability to apply pressure through tackling and running.	Is the player’s speed an asset to their game or is their endurance an asset or do they have an elite combination of both?
3 PHASES OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
When we have the ball	When they have the ball		When the ball is in dispute
What does the player do when their team is in possession? Do they have the ability to read the play or find space? Do they have an understanding of good running patterns? Do they talk to their team mates?	What does the player do when the opposition has possession of the ball? Do they immediately man up on an opponent? Do they understand of defensive running (pushing back)? Do they benefit the team through pressure acts, tackling and constructive talking?		What does the player do when the ball is in dispute? Do they demonstrate competitiveness through pressure acts, finding space, blocking, constructive talking, running patterns and reading the play (offensively and defensively)?

Ultimately the areas above, in collaboration with overall ‘Footy Smarts’,
will determine if an individual is a talented, developing footballer

 

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

NOMINATIONS AND INVITATIONS

In order to assist with our Talent Identification and Development program, at the beginning of the season coaches and club volunteers of Year 8 - 12 community and school teams within the West Perth District are asked to nominate the most talented players within their respective sides.

Coaches are reminded that even if they are small and show some good signs they may deserve nomination. Likewise, if kids are considered a ‘developing tall’ (key position), they also may be worth nominating.

However, this nomination does not guarantee an invitation. These nominations will give us a better understanding of the players in our district, and representatives from West Perth Football Club can then attend both school and community matches throughout the season to further assess players.

Each Community Club and School appoint a Talent Delegate who report back to the West Perth Football Club on nominated players. There is a series of delegate’s Talent ID meetings where volunteers from the junior clubs along with key WPFC personnel who will discuss final selection.

Unfortunately with the challenges we have all faced in 2020 there will be no selection trial matches. Additionally the 14s and 15s program have been modified to suit the current football climate.

Players will then receive invitations via mail or email if they have been selected to train with the squad.

Please respect the process.

COUNTRY BASED PLAYERS

Players are identified through the Talent Identification and Development Programs (Yilgarn, Djinda Falcons) in our particular country zones and invited to participate in the academy.

AGE BREAKDOWN

Year Group	Age	Birth Month	Birth Year
Year 7	12 years old	January - June	2009
	13 years old	July - December	2008
Year 8	13 years old	January - June	2008
	14 years old	July - December	2007
Year 9	14 years old	January - June	2007
	15 years old	July - December	2006
Year 10	15 years old	January - June	2006
	16 years old	July - December	2005
Year 11	16 years old	January - June	2005
	17 years old	July - December	2004
Year 12	17 years old	January - June	2004
	18 years old	July - December	2003

 

TALENT PATHWAY

It is important to start by stating that players can move in and out of the West Perth Talent Pathway at any stage from 14s, 15s, Futures, all the way up through Colts and even Senior football. Even at the highest levels we see players enter through ‘non-traditional’ means. Not making it into a specific group or being released from a specific program does not dismiss your opportunity to enter at another stage, level or age group.

 

• 1x squad x60 players
• 1-2x session per week (Mon/Wed @Pentanet Stadium 4:00pm-5:30pm
• 1x Carnival match vs WAFL opposition (Oct school holidays)
• Commence Mon 16^th August

• 1x squad x55 players
• 1-2x session per week (Mon/Wed @Pentanet Stadium 4:00pm-5:30pm)
• 2x Carnival matches vs WAFL opposition (July school holidays)
•  Commence Mon 24^th May

 

15s Development Squad 2021
First Name	Last Name	D.O.B	Community Club
Diesel	Burden	3/10/06	Brighton Seahawks
Brendon	Kennedy	19/9/06	Brighton Seahawks
Jett	Martin	25/8/06	Brighton Seahawks
Rhys	Nowicki	25/12/06	Brighton Seahawks
Lachlan	Pleitner	7/07/06	Carine JFC
Seth	Bruins	6/7/06	Edgewater-Woodvale JFC
Jayden	Rigoll	16/9/06	Edgewater-Woodvale JFC
Joel	Strykert	18/12/06	Edgewater-Woodvale JFC
Lachlan	Acres	30/12/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Jaxon	Callcott	12/11/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Kayle	Gerreyn	5/10/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Darcy	Keenan	8/7/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Nate	King	31/7/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Riley	King	31/7/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Cameron	Paton	14/9/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Thomas	Rooke	3/2/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Jye	Ross	12/7/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Trent	Solly	5/3/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Riley	Stinger	17/3/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Harvey	Thompson	14/7/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Luke	Ward	1/10/06	Joondalup Kinross JFC
Finlay	Watson	21/7/06	Kingsley JFC
Owen	Capes	5/10/06	Northern Falcons
Tanah	Sherwell-Stone	6/2/06	Northern Falcons
Patrick	Atkins	11/4/06	Ocean Ridge JFC
Andrew	Avery	20/4/06	Ocean Ridge JFC
Marcus	Burns	12/5/06	Ocean Ridge JFC
Zac	Goggin	3/1/06	Ocean Ridge JFC
Trent	Hiscock	23/3/06	Ocean Ridge JFC
Bailey	Snelling	5/3/06	Ocean Ridge JFC
Kayden	Daly	12/11/06	Quinns Districts JFC
Lachlan	Fisher	28/6/06	Quinns Districts JFC
Dion	Gilling	6/7/06	Quinns Districts JFC
Lancelot	Griessel	6/11/06	Quinns Districts JFC
Andreas	Hough	9/5/06	Quinns Districts JFC
Kayde	Sherwood	4/8/06	Quinns Districts JFC
Max	Connell	2/8/06	Sorrento Duncraig JFC
Jordan	Marinovich	30/1/06	Sorrento Duncraig JFC
Harrison	Money	28/2/06	Sorrento Duncraig JFC
Kai	Richards	8/12/06	Sorrento Duncraig JFC
Marcus	Wood	19/10/06	Sorrento Duncraig JFC
Tyrell	Bropho	6/7/06	Wanneroo JFC
Thomas	MacGillivray	18/04/06	Wanneroo JFC
Blair	McMillan	27/01/06	Wanneroo JFC
Tore	Nelson	24/07/06	Wanneroo JFC
Jack	Wooden	22/09/06	Wanneroo JFC
Callum	Downey	14/06/06	Whitford JFC
Jaxon	Wells	29/03/06	Whitford JFC
Max	Zivkovic	11/09/06	Whitford JFC
Logan	McMillan	7/08/06	Whitfords JFC
Baylee	Payne	10/01/06	Whitfords JFC
Finn	Scanlan	17/09/06	Whitfords JFC
Riley	Smith	1/05/06	Whitfords JFC
Riley	Anderson	15/9/06	Yanchep JFC
Tyler	Donovan	19/12/06	Yanchep JFC
Eddie	Kelderman	30/8/06	Yanchep JFC
Jesse	West	13/6/06	Yanchep JFC

 

15s Program
When	Details	Who	Where
MAY
Mon 24th 4:00pm	First Session (Inductions/Headshots)	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Mon 24th 6:00pm	Parent Information Session	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Wed 26th 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
JUNE
Wed 2nd 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Wed 9th 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Wed 16th 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Mon 21st 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Wed 23rd 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Mon 28th 4:00pm	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Wed 30th 9:00am	Training 15s	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
JULY
Mon 12th	West Perth v Swan Districts	All	TBC
Fri 16th	West Perth v Peel Thunder	All	TBC
Mon 12th 4:00pm	Training 15s (Reviews)	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
W/C 12th	IDP Planning	Coaches
Mon 19th	IDP Player/Parent Meeting	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Tues 20th	IDP Meeting	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Wed 21st	IDP Meeting	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval
Mon 26th 6:00pm	Program Presentation	All	WPFC Provident Financial Oval

 

For further information, please contact:

Talent Manager............................ Kris Shannon - talent@falconsfc.com.au