Well this has really got the locals talking. And thank god for the Nearpost; always got a solution
and right now that's just what we need.
And in blogland solutions are easy.
Capital Football has put on hold, maybe even scrapped, their plans for a change from the less than
equitable and limited current Academy structure to the proposed and advertised FFA facilitated
Talent Id program.
Click to continue reading...
You have to love the world we live in today. Everyone is to blame but ourselves! So it comes as no
surprise that some media commentators are quick to lay the van Egmond fiasco at the FFA's doorstep
rather than the individual responsible.
In his latest blog, Jesse Fink points the finger at FFA and a lack of due diligence on their behalf
as the root cause for the problems that Gary van Egmond now finds himself in.
Click to continue reading...
Gary van Egmond has already had to take a Public Service funded job and he's only been in Canberra
a week.
The FFA has seemingly backed down on their Under 17 AIS/FFA Funded job....so now it's just an AIS
position. A Public Servant!
And that means he must be a target for the Canberra A-League team.
Click to continue reading...
To be honest I am stunned by this turn of events for Gary Van Egmond. The FFA have sacked him from
the AIS because they claim he said he had no contract with Newcastle when he did. The story is here
and Mike covers it here.
As Newcastle Con Constantine says, his beef is with the FFA not Gary.
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FFA Tech Director Han Berger had a chat with me last night about the new technical development plan
put out or about to be by the FFA.
First thing that struck me is that elite sports for kids is so serious these days, and I guess
Aussie football juniors are about to get a rude awakening! Maybe it's already happening in other.
Click to continue reading...
Two streams: Talented and Community; but who are the FFA talking to in Canberra?
I went along to the FFA Tech Director Han Berger's introduction to the National Curriculum.
There are two streams; the Community stream and Talented Development stream.
One for the community players which I reckon judging by the standards laid out in the curriculum
for training etc from age 8-19 covers almost 98% of Canberra male players are community.
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Training once a week is enough for anyteam, particularly a girls team.
Parents don't want to commit more than once a week to sport?
Right, no wrong!
Had a great post from Mr A. Nonymous...so thought I'd give it it's own heading...
We have many thousands of young swimmers in Australia doing a minimum of five training
sessions a week between 1 - 2 hours per session.
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No AIS creative player since Zelic!!!Aussie media have been whinging for months about the Socceroos style of play...and I'm from the
school that it's not all about the Coach.
If you don't have the tools it's hard to paint a picture.
But, until recently, our so-called best of the best came through the AIS, and therefore it's worth
noting who is our most creative player to come through such an organisation.
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The AIS have been playing the local Premier League teams recently.br /br /With oldest AIS player
now born in 1992, that makes the oldest player just 17.br /br /They've already beaten Canberra FC,
ANU and O'Connor Knights. Belconnen did beat them but the AIS had a player sent-off in the 15th
minute so maybe that influenced the result.
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Nationally we talk to Tom Sermanni on the upcoming W-League, and AIS Under 20 Coach Jan Versleijen
on his hunt for overseas players.
Locally Russ Gibbs, Chris Gottaas and Aaron Walker talk to Canberra United signing Grace Gill and
Russ and Aaron preview the Rockets game with Sydney FC Youth on Friday.
Click to continue reading...
Matildas are in Camp in Canberra from Tuesday, Thursday the Promising Matildas v China U20, AIS
Canberra, 4.00pm AEST also on Sat same time same teams, and Young Matildas in Camp from Thursday.
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This weeks poddies.
National Show Download
Includes David Hall Editor of Australia's newest Football Magazine Australian Football Weekly.
Also AIS Coach Jan Versleijen talks about his role as Under 20's Coach.
And our very own "Not Setanta Australia segment with Guus Hiddink, Charlie Tim Tam Miller,
Ricky Herbert and We've found Arnie.
Click to continue reading...
The AIS farewelled Sydney FC bound Sam Munro today. You can hear Sam on the Nearpost tonight.
And Jan Versleijen, AIS Coach, outlines his plans for the future of the football programme at the
AIS.
As the players are snapped up by the A-League Youth teams the current Under 20 squad becomes a camp
based programme similar to European national youth sides.
Click to continue reading...
Christine Walters and Bronywyn Studman both started in the Young Matildas 4-3 loss to Japan
yesterday in Canberra. Walters played at right-back and had a particularly strong game according to
Coach Alen Stajic. "But," he noted, "both went very well."
The Japanese squad arrived on Saturday and have a large squad.
Click to continue reading...
Zambia and Bulgaria Under 20's will join the AIS to take part in a 3-way tournament to be played at
Deakin Stadium from Sat 6th-Wed 10th. And the ACT Rockets and Canberra FC will also play friendlies
against each of the overseas teams. Details to be confirmed.
Click to continue reading...
Neil Zimmerman sent this report through from a rain-swept Melbourne
A dogged performance by Fawkner saw them run out 1-0 winners over the AIS at a rain soaked CB Smith
Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The sun broke through just after the commencement of play making the conditions a little more
bearable for those out on a pitch that had been heavily affected by overnight and early morning
rain.
Click to continue reading...
Former Majura junior and current AIS Scholarship holder Kofi Danning is being chased by the new
Gold Coast club. Miron Blieberg has been watching recent AIS games.
But then again Miron every A-League Club is after this player with a big future.
One AIS insider said, "Kofi could play English Premier League or European Champions League.
Click to continue reading...
Steve O'Connor's replacement at the AIS Dutchman Jan Versleijen is rumoured to have been given a
contract worth between $300k & $350k a year; but has a get out clause after 6 months if the U20
Aust Team do not get through their World Cup qualifiers!
Great commitment!
Not sure what the AIS development program is supposed to do after 6 months (allows him to head back
to UAE if he wants?
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Come back Craig we loved you as a critic:)
SBS Commentator Craig Foster has written a piece in the SMH, see full article below, on the
Dutchification of Aussie football.
In general it's fine but there are a few glaring mis-placed passes.
While the Socceroos' performances against Iraq raise concerns about their ability
against stronger opposition, Verbeek has answered every question put to him, and his management of
the logistical challenges of Asia has been perfect.
Click to continue reading...
The Weekender:
Where else can the players from the AIS play?Paul Mavroudis is a passionate South Melbourne fan and football blogger. and Paul is making the
journey to Canberra this weekend for his sides Sunday VPL clash with the AIS.
Paul writes the Weekender this week:On Saturday, I and 30 odd other South Melbourne fans will be
making the trip up to Canberra by bus.
Click to continue reading...
Rumours abound. I want a house in Sydney, and so does the prospective new Dutch AIS Coach.
The AIS look set to appoint an overseas coach, if you believe the pitchside talk, yes he's Dutch.
No surprise there.
Previous AIS Coach Steve O'Connor was on somewhere around $100,000. The new position was advertised
at $200,000.
Click to continue reading...
The Mariners are coming to look at Canberra's Youth, but they face a fight from former AIS Coach and now Sydney FC Youth Coach, Steve O'Connor.
O'Connor is rumoured to be on the hunt for a number of Canberrans currently at the AIS and playing in Canberra.
We know Kofi Danning has already been asked, but there could be a few more Canberra lads.
Click to continue reading...
A busload of South Melbourne fans are heading to Canberra for the AIS v South Melbourne clash on
June 22nd. Great to see their dedication.
How many fans would come from Melbourne or Sydney for A-League clashes if we had a Canberra team?
Sorry, just wishful thinking.
This weekend the AIS take on Heidelberg United.
Click to continue reading...
The Weekender is an article written by anyone with an interest in any level of football. It's aim
is to ensure Canberrans can wake up to some coverage of Australian/Canberra football on their
weekend.
This weeks is written by myself.
Where now for the Australian Institute of Sport Football program? Click to continue reading...
AIS, Matildas, Paul Okon, SBS telly talk, Tony Antonis, Kanga Cup, Harry Kewell, Sydney FC and
more.
Paul Okon, David Zdrillic, Michael Valkanis, Carl Veart and Steve Corica are in
Canberra this week. They are all currently undertaking their B Licence Coaching certificate.
Click to continue reading...
Former AIS Head Coach Steve O'Connor is gone, to Sydney FC. And despite offering to take the Young
Socceroos to the Asia Cup in October, it seems the FFA have other plans.
Should we go Dutch?
Should we employ one of the 200 Englishmen who are sure to apply.
Should we stay Aussie.
Click to continue reading...
AIS suffered their third loss in a row when they went down to Green Gully 3-0 yesterday.
Read Neil Zimmerman's match report below:
Green Gully racked up their fourth consecutive win with a 3-0 victory over the AIS at a sun
drenched Green Gully Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
A brace to second half substitute, Campbell Banks saw the home team run out comfortable winners
over an AIS side that failed to make its amount of possession count on the scoreboard.
Click to continue reading...
Been away for the last week so apologies for the lack of posts.
I have been hugely impressed with the FFA recently with the youth initiatives they have announced.
The introduction of Small Sided Games, National Youth League and now the Marquee Youth Player
scheme are all terrific programs for the development of youth in this country.
Click to continue reading...
Read Neil Zimmerman's match report below. And you can hear Neil Zimmerman's report on Nearpost
radio tomorrow
The AIS suffered their second loss in as many weeks as Western Suburbs picked up a 1-0 victory
thanks to a 54th minute strike from Tomi Razov at Ralph Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
The win was only their second for the season for Western Suburbs and their first under newly
appointed coach, Ken Murphy.
Click to continue reading...
AIS Keeper Matthew Birighitti is enjoying playing in the VPL.
Former ACTAS and current O'Connor Knights keeper Codey Larkin
Matthew Birighitti (WA) and Codey Larkin (Canberra) are two goalkeepers following in a rich Aussie
tradition.
Matthew Birighitti is the current AIS keeper, and has helped steer the young side to third place in
the Victorian Premier League.
Click to continue reading...
"Smile Steve, you're off to Sydney FC," said the photographer and at that point Rocky as he's known
in football circles, lifted his head and gave the biggest smile ever!
Steve was a great guest, wit, football stories and insight, a radio hosts dream. Pity we only had
an hour.
He told us how Mark Viduka drove everyone mad in the Residences at the AIS bouncing the ball
against his dorm wall with his head.
Click to continue reading...
Kaz Patafta, Shaun Ontong, Ben Williams, Steve O'Connor, AIS, Youth League lots of Canberra
football news here.
Kaz Patafta meets Les Murray Sunday 5pm. Canberra and Melbourne Victory's Kaz
Patafta will be on SBS The World Game on Sunday around 5pm. Sir Les will interview Kaz.
Click to continue reading...
With Steve O'Connor off to Sydney FC after twelve successful years at the AIS the rumour is FFA
will advertise in Holland, I mean internationally, for a replacement.
The old Soccer Australia also advertised Internationally, (outside Holland) but one suspects this
time the FFA have money and they are serious.
Click to continue reading...
With the Youth League expected to be announced today, suddenly clubs have a real opportunity to
develop and improve their young players.
And one day maybe make a fortune by selling them overseas. At worst we should have a steady stream
of improved young players coming through to the A-
League if things are done right.
Click to continue reading...
We might not have an A-League team (yet) or a State League team or even a Men's Representative
side, but Canberrans can still play football.
Robbie Cattanach scored three on the opening day of the season for Manly United last weekend.
And the AIS has Sam Munro, Kofi Danning, Dom Giampaolo, Ivan Pavlak and Dane Milovanovic in this
years squad.
Click to continue reading...
