Interviewed recently, Tim Cahill didn’t say that much. He said he thought Qatar’s World Cup bid presentation was impressive and that when he finished his career, he wanted to come back to Australia to try and redress some of the stuff he had to put up with when he was a youngster.
“I found it very hard at first as a footballer growing up in Australia to get my opportunity … They said I was not strong enough, I was not tall enough … I was weak. I didn’t fit the format of what it took. … I feel the biggest downfall is the grassroots level.”
He gets stuck in for a little bloke and some supporters met him halfway.
How dare a rich tosser have a go at Australia like that!
Some said he was rich and out of touch. Someone said he drove a Bugatti.
One bloke said “he wanted to play for Ireland before the Socceroos…he’s only on the lookout for himself.”
Sensitive little Vegemites, aren’t we?
Timmy’s big sins were having kind words to say about Qatar, and suggesting a young Australian player might get more opportunities overseas.
How dare he have a go at the A-League!
He didn’t mention the A-League. He was talking about junior football.
We’re obviously not listening. We hear what we want to hear.
I’m the same.
I embarrassed myself a few years back down at the club by making the ridiculous statement that our thickhead junior coaches were so focused on winning this weekend that if we had a Tiny Tim Cahill in our midst he’d be playing Aussie Rules next season.
They said you could pick the good ones early.
The “good ones” apparently, according to the Australian coaching manual, are the early developers – the under-13s with 16-year-old bodies and the under-15s with five o’clock shadows.
These kids, we must assume, are the kids with the best chance of going on to be really something later on. Why else would development coaches pick them?
It’s probably just a coincidence then that in junior football, a coach with 800 kilograms on the pitch tends to prevail over the coach who plays kids with greater potential and goes into the match with a couple of hundred kilos less.
Apparently it’s about the long-term, giving the early developers all the early breaks – if they keep growing at this rate they’ll be ten feet tall by the time they’re adults and they’ll be able to dribble!
That’s the problem – early developers often stop growing early too, and we end up with blokes of average height with average skills who struggle against blokes their own size with extraordinary skills; coodabeens versus the real McCoy.
What happens to the runts who get overlooked in favour of early developers?
They can leave for other sports or, if football gets lucky, they might head overseas to find more emotionally secure and mature coaches who have eyes for more than the win-loss ratio on their CVs.
About the silliest thing a late developer can do is think that because this is Australia, they should put their faith in hard work and talent winning out in the end.
It won’t. Top coaches – not the good ones, the ones at the top – won’t have talented kids on their team who’ve been kicking around in the C team and haven’t a clue about sophisticated team play.
“If only I’d got him a couple of years ago,” they say of another 16 year old who has suddenly shot up and is now dominating in the lowly league he was consigned to for being a runt. “But it’s too late now. I can’t do anything with him.”
Leak a few goals at this level? This is the under-17As, mate!
If a young player isn’t “in the system” early they’re probably not going to make it into the system at all.
It’s a sad old paradox, but that’s the way it is.
Junior coaches are fixated on winning because those who open doors for them to higher levels of coaching are doing the same thing – only looking at “winners” who’ll make their CVs look good.
From the suburban club president pointing to the pennants picked up with kids lured from other clubs, to old Frank banging on about how well it’s all going as if junior World Cups were any more evidence of a good coaching regime than a lousy one. It might well be the latter when one sees our giants facing off against their jockeys. Pity it’s not basketball.
If we weren’t completely stupid about it we’d just declare the junior World Cups the be-all and end-all, and laugh at Argentina, Brazil and Spain for developing all the wrong types.
As Tim Cahill says, we have a problem at the grassroots.
We aren’t taking it seriously at all in Australia, we just pretend we are. Fortunately Tim Cahill hung in there but how would an undersized kid from a family whose family can’t afford the bus fare to town let alone a trip half away around the world have gone had be been born in Australia?
Thank God Maradona and Messi weren’t born in Australia.
They’d have been consigned to weaving through packs and banging sausage rolls in from the boundary and applying, er, frontal pressure, while Aussie Rules spectators would be banging on “Gee, he’d have made a great soccer player.”
They have no idea.
It’s like not even having a ticket in the lottery, allowing winning imperatives to lead junior development round by the nose.
Boeing couldn’t design a better system for banishing the exceptional and maintaining mediocrity over the long haul.
There’s a price to pay, but so long as the kids win on the weekend, that’s the main thing.
Dugald Massey
Roar Guru
"Crisis"? What crisis?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ BO'C When Timmy C was at Millwall (between 1998-2004) their average home attendance (2001-2004) after gaining promotion to the Championship League (the 2nd division in England) was 10.8k ... ... and, the crowds would have been even lower for the three season Timmy C played for Millwall in the 3rd Division. When you compare the average crowds for the first 6 season of the HAL it becomes apparent that, if you're playing at the Adelaide United, Brisbane Roar, MVFC & Sydney FC home ground you'll be playing in front of bigger crowds than Timmy C at Millwall!
Titus
Guest
I say we should stop going to games until people start turning up...who's with me?
Beer O'Clock
Guest
Yep, playing in big stadiums with hardly anyone watching in them. Ringing endorsement for sure.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nice endorsement of the HAL from Timmy C. From: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1059166/Cahill-launches-youth-clinic Socceroos star Tim Cahill has urged talented young Aussies to use the A-League as a springboard to forge a career in Europe. "Play in the A-League and, if you're flying in that, then you have to have the opportunity (to play overseas). And is it such a bad thing to come back and play in the A-League? No, it's fantastic. They're on TV, playing in big stadiums, and they've got massive sponsors."
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thanks for that info, ICF ... I've been a long time away from the development stage of the game so it's great to hear your 1st hand account. I've only been hearing fantastic stories from mates, whose kids are involved in the SSGs ... only wish there was such technical direction when we were growing up!
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Fussball we have actually been running SSF in our region for 5 years now and the results have been great. It's taken football to the number 1 participation code in the country and has boosted our numbers of gifted and elite players who are on special programs, clinics and academies. The future is looking brighter for good skillful footballers to come through and fill those A-League youth teams and ultimately the Socceroos.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Honestly Dougal, I know you are a time waster and I wouldn't expect someone like you with such a huge chip on their shoulder about Australian footbal and the FFA would actually listen to someone else's point iof view. Why don't you research the topic a little before you shoot off at the mouth again. http://www.footballnsw.com.au/index.php?id=191 Why would size be such an issue in football compared to other sports like rugby league, AFL, rugby or basketball? Maybe you should write a piece about how small kids can't play rugby league anymore because all the moari and islander kids beat them up. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/crunch-time-for-juniors-weighty-issue-20110319-1c1ba.html But no, let me guess - your next Roar article will be about yet another "crisis" in Australian football and the FFA - ho hum.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
For heavens sake ... give it time. The new curriculum was only implemented in 2010! First, as you've rightly suggested, it will take time before the existing trainers to change their mindset and enthusiastically embrace change; or, the old-style trainers will need to be weeded out of the system, but this, too, will take time So, I reckon it will take at least 8-10 years - at the minimum - to see the fruits of the FFA's new technical direction. It's ridiculous to start making sweeping negative (or positive) comments right now! And, let's not create a revised history on the Tim Cahill experience. Tim's a fantastic competitor but he's certainly not a "technically proficient" footballer - his only A1 technique would be his heading ability inside the box. When he first moved from Australia, Tim Cahill was signed by Milwall and for several seasons he played in the 3rd Division of English football - i.e. 2 divisions below the EPL. Milwall were certainly not known for signing "technically-gifted players" and I certainly hope Aussies do NOT follow the Tim Cahill path to overseas success. What is needed are more players developing in Australia, moving to the HAL and then, like Vidosic, Leckie, Oar, Zullo, Sarota, Langerak, Kruse, etc. etc. moving to overseas leagues, where they will experience real technical development - not simply British-style techniques of: "kick & chase" and crunching tackles.
Dugald Massey
Roar Guru
A it happens ICF, my "usual take on things" is based largely on refuting the inaccurate myths, folklore and cartoons that have enveloped sport since money entered the equation and got good people talking lies. Have you written to Tim Cahill to let him know he's barking up the wrong tree? How about Han Berger? SSGs could have been introduced three years earlier than they were if clubs hadn't been so resistant. Despite SSGs being the recognised best-practice with reams of supporting evidence, the clubs wouldn't initiate them themselves and then had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the SSG table with a gun to their heads. Clubs and coaches pretend they're following the national curriculum. They pretend -- they tick about one box, which is the one they have to tick or they cop financial penalties from the federations. They ignore all the stuff on access, RAE or anything else they can't be held accountable for. SSGs are compulsory but the national curriculum promotes the notion of "maximum touches" up to u-15s like the Dutch, German, Italians, French and all the other strugglers -- it's just not enforced like SSGs are. And what do we do with them the moment compulsory federation-enforced SSGs are done? Twelve years-old are thrown onto full-sized pitches for 11 v 11. Don't get me started on the other headings in the national curriculum and blokes who quote them but can't even be bothered following the instructions, who just cherry-pick it and ignore the stuff that doesn't suit the cartoon they've got running around in their heads about how you do kids' sokkah proply. Get back to us when you any one of Australia's thousands of self-described world-class development coaches has produced a single international on Australian soil like a Tim Cahill who was small and not big for his age as a teen. Until then parents of talented but undersized kids should look offshore -- at least until the Tim Cahill Diminutive Soccer Academy gets underway.
Futbanous
Guest
Glad to hear of the changes first hand.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
You're quoting Cahill out of context to suit your usual take on things against the FFA and way behind the times. A lot has changed since Tim was a juniour footballer in Australia - 20 years ago! I coach and referee small sided football games and we don't even keep score, so not sure where you get that "win at all costs" idea from. We play mixed boys and girls, so size and "physical attributes" are not an issue either. The emphasis is on fun at all costs and we have a program where we identify talented young kids and accelerate their skills development, as appropriate. So your comments are really out of date and irrelevant and giving the wrong impression about juniour football development in this country. I think you are the one who "has no idea". In the next 10-20 years you will see the new approach from the FFA bear more fruit on the world stage.
Dugald Massey
Roar Guru
That's okay Bondy, I read your whole post, every word of it and I know exactly where you're coming from. Why don't you go back there?
Bondy
Guest
Dugald , Haven't bothered reading mate, everything in football is in crisis to you.
Al
Guest
This is also a problem in England at youth ranks where small players are overlooked for bigger, more physical players. If Barcelona have shown us anything, it is that a team does not need to be overly tall or largely built to dominate, it is the technical fundamentals that are crucial, fundamentals that both England and Australia neglect at junior development and are at the core of the Barcelona youth academy curriculum.
Futbanous
Guest
Having coached junior level,the system in the past did indeed promote winning no doubt on that. Personally I always tried to teach skills , didnt matter taught the skills ,watched their progress. Picked players who if I wanted to win would never have been picked. Unfortunately i was a minority. Well remember one match(under 11 If I remember) being approached by the oppositions coach. His manner,demeanour,attitude, belonged to mature adults not developing children. He bragged his team would wipe the floor with mine. Some people said he was a "Professional coach". In my book a ruthless win at all costs coach,with no place in kids football. Shocked me a little & indeed his team of bigger,athletic,faster lads beat mine convincingly. He came up to me at the end & said "well done" in a sarcastic patronising way. But we kept working on the skills,including defensive technique. Last match of the season we were out of the finals,but my kids didnt care they enjoyed their time on the park. Last match was also against Junior Mourinho's team. They needed to win to be in the finals. I then did something that went against my football philosophy/ upbringing, against the grain,I told the kids to tackle the way I taught them ,defend back up each other.,to deny this time a place in the finals Why because I was also an adult male & no poncy pseudo "professional coach" was going to put one over me again. We scored a flukey goal,held on for a 1-0 win. Coaches from other teams depending on this result to get into the finals were observing. A couple came over to me & said "Thanks,well done".. Moral of the story take your pick. For me even the best of intentions can be forgetten when adult males are involved. Also at eleven the kids didn't mind seeing the deflated look by parents ,kids,coach,manager of the supposed "professional" team. Best we can do IMO is coach kids technically above all else,regardless of age. Keep the winning element away as long as possible(SSG's are doing this nowadays I believe) so the joy of having the ball at the feet is entrenched.
Con Stamocostas
Roar Pro
Love your work Doug. Over 170 Aussie footballers Abroad.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
You've got to keep up, Dugald ... the times are a changin' thanks to the visionary work being done at FFA HQ. Under the guidance of the FFA's National Technical Director, we have a 44-page National Curriculum which "provides national guidance and an integrated and consistent approach to the development of players and coaches throughout the country." In particular, these gaps were identified: A. Technical skills are deficient in players in elite programs / competitions. B. Deficient game skills and game hardness evident in mid-teens and later (particularly 15–18 age years group). C. Loss of potential talent due to Relative Age Effect. D. Loss of potential talent due to the financial barrier. E. Omission of a lot of potential talent from regional Australia. F. Abilities of coaches for talented young players and for senior teams. Source: http://www.a-league.com.au/site/_content/document/00001254-source.pdf The most significant changes to be implemented are in the player numbers for age groups 6-12 years, with small-sided games for these age groups: Age 6 & 7: 4x4 & no GK Age 8 & 9: 7x7 with GK Age 10 & 11: 9x9 with GK Age 12+: Full teams of 11x11. These small-sided games have three major objectives to improve: technique, technique, technique. And, we now need to be a bit patient - don't expect an Australian Messi to be produced for the 2011/12 A-League season!! - and wait to see how well this National Curriculum fills the gaps as we move football to the next level in Australia. The changes to the small-sided games for kids aged 6-12 were implemented in 2010, so in my opinion, we can expect to fully assess the impact of this new technical direction in 2020.
dasilva
Guest
It's funny that in England where it's the likes of Foster has rubbished there youth development for favouring physical over technical players. That he accused of negatively influencing the youth development of Australia was where Tim Cahill found his mark. Also at Millwalls out of all places who you don't generally associate with youth development. That even the much malign english system at the lower divisions is a step up over Australia when it comes to looking for talent beyond physical attributes The thing is, it's not like Tim Cahill didn't have physical attributes. He is fairly fit and has stamina, he can jump very high, although he is not the fastest player in the world, he ain't a slow coach and he is not exactly a weakling either. He also has high work rate as well and is quite happy to get stuck in. Tim isn't known for his technical ability either however he makes up for being an intelligent player He did have physical attributes, it's just that he was dismissed for being small. That sort of shows that the valueing over physicality over technique isn't entirely accurate as they define physicality even more narrower then most people definition and is limited to the frame of the player.
whiskeymac
Guest
No faith in Bergers and Baans blue prints, small sided games and the like? I am hoping that the cultural change required to skill up as oppossed to bulk out are in place and being implemented. Hopefully the FFA with its dutch and german imposition will steer the changes through so talented players are not a one off generational exception. Its interesting that this issue is also slowly being addressed by the English FA with Sir Trevor Brooking a massive and long standing advocate of developng skills not results at junior level.