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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.

 

2021 PROGRAMS 
14s (2007 born)
  • 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 16th August

14s Development Squad 2021

First Name

Last Name

D.O.B

Community Club

Toby

Fuchbishler

20/6/07

Aquinas College

Harry

Bower

19/7/07

Brighton Seahawks JFC

Rylie

McLean

19/9/07

Brighton Seahawks JFC

Tyler

Tremain

14/4/07

Brighton Seahawks JFC

James

Wiltshire

31/3/07

Brighton Seahawks JFC

Lachy

Dunne

3/5/07

Guildford Grammar

Cal

Brandis

7/2/07

Hale School

Cooper

Bewick

20/3/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Jason

Biggins

26/3/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

John

Coleman

17/10/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Flynn

Copeland

4/7/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Chris

Davidson

28/8/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Coen

Davies

12/3/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Cameron

Davies

21/1/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Damon

Dewinter

6/4/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Jacob

Farrow

21/9/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Boyd

Fewson

3/3/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Lachlan

Gault

6/7/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Rhys

Hards

15/3/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Daniel

Kaczmarek

8/12/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Jack

Lockwood

16/1/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Malachi

Pattern

8/7/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

George

Salisbury

26/6/07

Joondalup-Kinross JFC

Levi

Cadd

8/7/07

Kingsley JFC

Aiden

D'Amico

7/10/07

Kingsley JFC

Riley

Lancaster-Smith

3/10/07

Kingsley JFC

Ashton

Phillips

16/5/07

Kingsley JFC

Riley

Proud

7/4/07

Kingsley JFC

Lucas

Andrews

2/2/07

Manning JFC

Myles

Anthony

4/5/07

Merredin Juniors

Toby

Delacy

24/1/07

Merredin Juniors

Tom

Downsborough

2/6/07

Merredin Juniors

Mitchell

Thomson

2/12/07

Merredin Juniors

Cameron

Hills

24/4/07

Narembeen FC

Alexander

Hunt

17/10/07

North Beach JFC

Beau

Lees

3/9/07

North Beach JFC

Isaiah

Bropho

31/7/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Aston

Dawes

7/12/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Kieran

Gray

20/7/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Tyson

Harrington

17/7/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Zakari

Hazel

13/9/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Cooper

Milton

13/10/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Mitchell

Newton

26/9/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Lachlan

Pugh

17/9/07

Ocean Ridge JFC

Robbie

Anderson

7/8/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Frazer

Bailey

20/3/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Gryff

Barrett

1/9/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Timothy

Dick

2/12/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Ewan

McCaffrey

31/7/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Mitchell

Mckenzie

19/8/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Will

Rintoul

3/5/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Judd

Rule

3/9/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Luke

Ryan

11/11/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Bailey

Thompson

14/5/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Tommy

Yang

18/2/07

Quinns Districts JFC

Darcy

Luders

9/7/07

Scarborough JFC

Angus

Fricker

3/11/07

Sorrento-Duncraig JFC

Finlay

Hill

11/10/07

Sorrento-Duncraig JFC

Jack

Ryan

5/10/07

Sorrento-Duncraig JFC

Peter

Young

31/10/07

Sorrento-Duncraig JFC

Jarrad

Coppen

10/10/07

Swanbourne JFC

Austin

Roberts

13/8/07

Swanbourne JFC

James

Corr

26/1/07

Wanneroo JFC

Christian

Dimitrovich

15/3/07

Wanneroo JFC

Harrison

Martion

20/2/07

Wanneroo JFC

Brody

Roost

8/2/07

Wanneroo JFC

Lochlain

Carpenter

1/4/07

Whitford JFC

Travis

Di Giovanni

8/3/07

Whitford JFC

Zane

Gartrell

15/4/07

Whitford JFC

Kylan

Granland

10/7/07

Whitford JFC

Riley

Groves

16/11/07

Whitford JFC

Joshua

Hendry

25/7/07

Whitford JFC

Jonah

Klemke

5/6/07

Whitford JFC

Brodie

Lee

28/4/07

Whitford JFC

Judd

Marcello

2/1/07

Whitford JFC

Amon

Ross

15/1/07

Whitford JFC

Cooper

Sadgrove

4/4/07

Whitford JFC

Jaxon

Stewart

22/7/07

Whitford JFC

Sam

Swadling

16/1/07

Whitford JFC

Jack

Walden

21/3/07

Whitford JFC

Jamie

Deane

18/5/07

Yanchep JFC

George

Holmes

29/7/07

Yanchep JFC

 
 
 
 
15s (2006 born)
  • 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 24th 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