grassroots football in australia - group presentation of problem solution

26/11/2009

PD112: Group Presentation of Problem Solution - Prepared by

Anthony Siokos, Sam Gafsi, Adam Raw & Paige Grant 1

How can we provide solutions to the barriers in the attitudes, philosophy and style of

grassroots football in Australia?(6-12 years)

PD112: Group Presentation of Problem Solution

Presented by “A.S.A.P.”Anthony Siokos (5835)

Sam Gafsi (4640)Adam Raw (5741)Paige Grant (5845)

26/11/2009

PD112: Group Presentation of Problem Solution -Prepared by Anthony Siokos, Sam Gafsi, Adam Raw

& Paige Grant 2

Interview:We sat down to talk “Grassroots Football” withFormer Socceroo & SBS Chief Football Analyst,

Craig Foster

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 3

What is grassroots football?

“Grassroots football is everything that is non-elite, essentially all the kids playing the game, it is all the junior clubs” (Foster, 2007).

Figure 1. “The Football Pyramid” (UEFA, 2004, p.6)

“Everyone who has played football started out as a grassroots player” (Roxburgh, 2004).

Play Clip 1

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 4

The barriers in developing a national philosophy

The football community has to firstly realise that we need change which has been very difficult to get across

The first major hurdle is understanding and acceptance from the whole football community that we need to change

Football in this country has been run from ground up not top down

A Federal-State system has meant the States have had their own autonomy, Football Federation Australia (FFA) needs to change this

Play Clip 2

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 5

Report of the Independent Soccer Review Committee: Grass-roots

Significant reduction in participation rates from juniors to seniors

Lack of facilities at the grass-roots level

The national league to have rookie player contracts and commitments to grass roots

Lack of integration between schools and clubs

Cross-boarder policy regarding junior representative teams

French-style soccer academy to be developed for Australian juniors

Further promotion of the game to Indigenous people

Figure 2. “Independent Soccer Review”

(ASC, 2003)

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 6

Independent Soccer Review: Grass-roots Issues

High costs of talent identification and coaching courses appear to be roadblocks to the development of game

Club system to be fully integrated between juniors and seniors, and men and women

A compensation scheme for clubs (that is, grass-roots clubs) who develop players who are then transferred

Soccer Australia needs a long-term facilities plan for each state to harness the growth at grass-roots level

Improved links with the Australian Institute of Sport and state institutes of sport, regarding high performance programs for the sport

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 7

Independent Soccer Review: Grass-roots Issues (cont.)

The commissioning of a development conference, say once a year, to investigate and discuss coaching, player pathways, high performance programs, junior programs, etc.

The accreditation programs for coaches in Australia are seen to be too onerous and prohibitive

Ten per cent of transfer fees generated from the sale of NSL players should be returned to the game for further development

(Australian Sports Commission, 2003, p.86)

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 8

The key to developing a national philosophy is understanding

“Australia is a submissive football culture, deep in the throws of a colonial mentality, paying undue homage to motherland influences that are beyond their time and regressive to our football interests” (Murray, 2006, p.263).

“The major impediment in this country to developing a philosophy is that we haven’t had one” (Foster, 2007).

Figure 3. “French Grassroots Junior”

(UEFA, 2004)

Play Clip 3

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 9

Grassroots PhilosophyThe key principles are:

Everybody has the opportunity to play

Football is everywhere

There is no discrimination

Action must be dynamic, simple, exciting and rewarding

Safety is a priority

Players come first

Fair play must be respected

Relationships, teamwork and skill development are key components (UEFA, 2004, p.7)

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 10

Football Diversity:Which style do we choose?

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 11

The Development of an“Australian” Philosophy

If we want to compete with the best in the world we have to develop an attitude, philosophy and style starting at our grassroots

Those who argue over which country has the best philosophy for Australian football to model tend to miss the broader objective

We need to adopt a philosophy which is focused less on physicality and more on technique

“Technique and physicality exist on this mutual continuum” (Foster, 2007).

Play Clip 4

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 12

National Coaching Licences:A pathway for better coaching

Bring in the Dutch “Youth Licences” and focus on coach education

We’ve had Guus Hiddink, now we’ve got Rob Baan (FFA Technical Director), it makes sense to continue down that path

This will incorporate better methods with proven success and a clearer philosophy

It needs to be simple for people to understand

By improving coach education and implementing a national philosophy we will then be able to produce better grassroots footballers

Play Clips 5, 6 & 7

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 13

Football Federation Australia:What role should the FFA play?

To stimulate interest in grassroots football through promotional activities and materials

To provide expert assistance, facilities and equipment to the associations

To organise educational courses and conferences To create guidelines for grassroots programs based

on best practice To generate new ideas for players, coaches and

officials In relation to the grassroots level, their roles and

responsibilities are not meeting the high demands of the junior game, in particular the Development and Coaching aspect

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 14

Finances & Funding:Where to better spend the money

Funding has been put into the FFA but distributed at the wrong end

$3m has been proposed for distribution to a national “Youth League” and not where it is needed at the local grassroots level

Federal Government confirm $16m funding boost

“This Australian Government funding will continue to cement the further growth and success of football in Australia” (Brandis, 2007, citied in Bernard, 2007).

Play Clip 8

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 15

Coaching & Development:Did somebody say change?

The FFA needs change in 3 main areas:

Coaching Courses (Coaches need re-coaching)

Development of a “National Coaching Structure”

“Ideally, whoever the technical director is, the national coaching structure would be under his auspices… He would establish the culture, construct the strategy, plan the program, set the goals and implement the model for football in Australia” (Warren, 2002, pp.334-335).

A national curriculum for schools and local football associations (replace “Telstra Football Anytime”)

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 16

FFA National Coaching Scheme:The current structure of licences

Figure 4. “FFA National Coaching Scheme” (FFA, 2007)

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 17

“Keep the Ball” Coaching Program:A National Football Curriculum

500-1000 touches of the football per training session, emphasising more touches of the ball

Focus on that critical moment – the first touch of the ball, not to just “boot it long”, activities/games for development

Creating an enjoyable atmosphere, with limited pressure, more focus on game sense skills and passing

Emphasis on keeping the ball (high possession %)

Implementation of the program nationally to schools and associations

Schools are a term-by-term basis, while Associations are seasonal from approximately March-August

Play Clip 9

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 18

Football vs. The Rest:Other Sporting Codes

Competing codes in Australia, for example, AFL, have “Auskick Development Programs” in schools and associations (Development Officers NSW Wide = 30), NRL, have “ARL Development Programs” throughout schools and associations (Development Officers Australia Wide = 250)

In comparison the FFA has no National Development Program/Structure for juniors and has only 20 paid employees nationwide

There is no structure in place, can not compete and will not beat rival codes if change is not implemented, hence producing the “Keep the Ball” Coaching Program

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 19

Football vs. The Rest:Other Sporting Codes (cont.)

Development for the “Grassroots” level of football should be divided in between 2 categories, schools and associations

Approximately 3 Technical/Development Officers in the specific areas of each State: Northern Regions Southern Regions Eastern Regions Western Regions

One paid Director of Coaching/Technical Director for all local Football Associations across Australia to implement the “Keep the Ball” Coaching Programand oversee the development of Coaches at grassroots level

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 20

Youth Skill Development:Small-sided games (SSG’s)

Critical analysis on how States currently regulate grassroots football activities

Why we need compulsory implementation of SSG’s

What the benefits are in utilising modified games for youth skill development

It’s about having fun while learning from highly skilled coaches

Play Clip 10

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 21

Breaking News…!Technical Development Review

Technical Development Review into grassroots document comes out over next few weeks, has been delayed for some months now

Review committee went overseas to 6 countries (US, Japan, Holland, Brazil to name a few)

Discussion on playing format for kids at grassroots level focusing on modified games where Australia needs to catch-up

Taking competition points out under the age of 13, it’s about pure development, learning the game, not playing for trophies, removal of this negative “results culture”

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 22

Technical Development Review(cont.)

13’s and over only to play full size and for competition points

Every State has signed up with FFA to bring this in across grassroots over the next 3 years

This is a much needed change and implementation of a national philosophy

It gives kids the opportunity to learn the game while having fun and will increase the standard across the country (Orsatti & Foster, 2007)

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 23

The Culture of Australian Sport:Why Football is counter-cultural

Understanding the fundamentals

No longer seen as a game for sheilas, wogs and poofters

Football is the world game. Can it become the number one football code in Australia? Why not?

“Football to be played in the right way is actually counter-cultural to Australian sport, because all of our sport is based on physicality” (Foster, 2007).

Play Clip 11

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 24

An online survey of grassroots coaches in the Sutherland Shire

Have been coaching for a minimum of 2 years 78.9%

Coaches who hold a Coaching Licence (min. Junior)

(including “Grassroots Football Certificate”)

63.1%

(73.6%)

Parent coaches (i.e. coaching their own child) 92.1%

Coaches aware of Club’s philosophy 73.6%

Coaches who have a “Coaching Director” available 84.2%

500 touches during each training session 39.4%

Use SSG’s in training sessions 100%

Coaches that value “development” over “winning” 100%

Experienced “parental coaching” from sidelines 100%

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 25

Paige Grant:A reflective case study

My playing background

My experience with coaches

The different attitudes, philosophies and styles of coaching I have received over the years

Why I believe we need change

Why I love the gameFigure 5. “Paige on the ball”

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 26

Questions?

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 27

Reference List

Australian Sports Commission. (2003). Report of the independent soccer review committee into the structure, governance and management of soccer in Australia. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Author.

Bernard, G. (2007, September 11). FFA land $16m funding boost. The Daily Telegraph,(Football Fever) p.39.

Murray, L. (2006). By the balls: Memoir of a football tragic. Milsons Point, NSW: Random House Australia.

Orsatti, A. (Presenter). & Foster, C. (Analyst). (2007). Shootout: Grass roots development [Online Streaming Video]. Sydney: Special Broadcasting Service.

Roxburgh, A. (2004). Watering the grass [Electronic version]. UEFA Grassroots Football Newsletter, 1, 3.

Union of European Football Associations. (2004). Grassroots philosophy. Geneva, Nyon: Author.

Warren, J. (2002). Sheilas, wogs & poofters: An incomplete biography of Johnny Warren and soccer in Australia. Milsons Point, NSW: Random House Australia.

26/11/2009


& Paige Grant 28

Illustrations List

Australian Sports Commission. (2003). Report of the independent soccer review committee into the structure, governance and management of soccer in Australia. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Author.

Football Federation Australia Community Homepage. (2007, August 13). Retrieved September 12, 2007, from http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/Community/default.as

px?s=community_newsfeatures_news_news_item&id=10269

Union of European Football Associations. (2004). UEFA Grassroots Programme. UEFA Grassroots Football Newsletter, 1, 1.

Union of European Football Associations. (2004). What is grassroots football? UEFA Grassroots Football Newsletter, 1, 6.

grassroots football in australia - group presentation of problem solution

Documents