The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has announced that it will be closing its Centre of Excellence (originally AIS Men’s Football) at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra at the end of the year. It is worth reflecting on the contribution of the AIS men’s program to football in Australia.
Men’s football was one of the original eight residential sports when the AIS was established in 1981 in Canberra.
Two Englishmen were given responsibility of developing young players – former Socceroos coach Jimmy Shoulder as Head Coach and Ron Smith as his assistant.
The football program was set up as a development program with the aim of developing players for the Young Socceroos (U20), Olyroos and ultimately the Socceroos.
The AIS program had some immediate results in developing national players such as Frank Farina, Oscar Crino and Tony Franken.
In the early years, many AIS players gravitated to the National Soccer League (now A-League) and some to the major leagues in Europe.
In observing the team in the early days, it was set up like a professional club in terms of coaching and training but players were also expected to study or work outside training.
The ultimate goal of football in Australia is to compete in the World Cup.
The Socceroos first played in the 1974 World Cup and just missed out on qualifying several times before John Aloisi’s penalty shootout goal against Uruguay at Sydney Olympic Stadium sent them to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The 2006 Socceroos World Cup team included 11 former AIS players – John Aloisi (1992 scholarship), Marco Bresciano (1997), Brett Emerton (1995-1996), Joshua Kennedy (1998-1999), Mark Milligan (2002), Craig Moore (1992-1993), Lucas Neill (1994-1995), Josip Skoko (1992-1993), Mile Sterjovski (1996-1996), Mark Viduka (1992-1993) and Luke Wilkshire (1998).
The Socceroos qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and that included 12 former AIS players – Lucas Neill (captain) (1994-1995), Craig Moore (1992-1993), Brett Emerton (1995-1996), Luke Wilshire (1998), Joshua Kennedy (1998-1999), Adam Federici (2002), Vince Grella (1996-1997), Carl Valeri (2000-2001), Nikita Rukavytysa (2005-2006), Mark Milligan (2002), Dario Vidosic (2005-2006), Marco Bresciano (1997)
The 2014 Socceroos World Cup team in Brazil included 7 formes AIS players – Marco Bresciano (1997), James Holland (2006-2007), Mitchell Langerak (2005-2006), Matthew McKay (2000-2001), Mark Milligan (2002), Matthew Spiranovic (2006), and Dario Vidosic (2005-2006)
The decline in the number of former AIS players in the 2014 World Cup team may have been behind the FFA’s decision to disband the Centre of Excellence program.
Major changes that have impacted on the program in the last decade included the move to Dutch coaching with the appointment of Jan Versleijen in 2008, difficulties in AIS players transitioning to A-League due to its higher standard and the AIS decision through the Winning Edge policy to transfer responsibility for funding the program in 2013 to the FFA.
As someone who has watched the AIS men’s football program over the years, I believe the 1990s was its strongest period.
During this period, it was under the control of Head Coaches Ron Smith (1986-1996) and Steve O’Connor (1996-2008).
It is also interesting to note that the 1990s was the strongest era at the AIS in Canberra due to its increased commitment to high-performance sport in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics.
I thought I might have a go at selecting an all-time AIS World Cup Team from players who have represented Socceroos at the World Cup.
AIS Starting Eleven
Goalkeeper – Adam Federici
Defenders – Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Luke Wilshire, Matthew Spiranovic
Midfield – Brett Emerton, Marco Bresciano, Vince Grella, Carl Valeri
Strikers – Mark Viduka, John Aloisi
Substitutes – Josip Skoko, Mark Milligan, Mile Sterjovski, Matthew McKay, Joshua Kennedy, Dario Vidosic, Mitchell Langerak (goalkeeper)
Players unlucky no to make the team due their Socceroos teams not qualifying for World Cup include Frank Farina, Oscar Crino, Tony Franken, Ned Zelic, Kevin Muscat, Paul Trimboli, Jade North and Warren Spink.
I did not include Josip Šimunić as he only represented Croatia at the World Cup.
Robbie Kruse most likely would have made the 2014 World Cup team but was ruled out due to injury.
Off the pitch, AIS players have contributed to the development of football particularly in relation to coaching and media.
Players that have made coaching contributions at an international and national level include Frank Farina (Soccer’s Head Coach 1999-2005), Kevin Muscat (Melbourne Victory), John Aloisi (Melbourne City/Brisbane Roar), Ray Junna (Canberra United W League), Robert Hooker (Canberra United W League), Alistair Edwards (Perth Glory) and John Gibson (Perth Glory W League). Numerous players have been assistant coaches in the National Soccer League and A-League.
Craig Foster and Ned Zelic play significant roles in promoting football in the Australian media.
Finally, a little-known fact is that Craig McLatchey, an inaugural scholarship holder who career was cruelled by a knee injury, went on to become the CEO of Swimming Australia and Australian Olympic Committee in the 1990’s.
The AIS has definitely contributed to the rise of the Socceroos since the 2000s.
I hope that the FFA remains committed to strong development programs that assist young players in transitioning into the A-League and then to leading overseas competitions such as EPL, Serie A and La Liga. This commitment should result in having successful Socceroos teams.
Marc
Guest
Have pleasant memories of watching the AIS beat the ACT Academy team in a local derby at the AIS Athletics track. If I recall correctly Mark Viduka, the V-Bomber was a beast that night and scored a couple.
Ruudolfson
Guest
The FFA COE should not be the only one available, ideally the FFA should spend a couple more around Australia just like with France's Clairefontaine where they have them around the country with the state federations and clubs to assist financially. That's my point about the players outside of the a-league system, you might find the next socceroo from tasmania, darwin etc, talent ID along with quality coaching is key. But now that makes it very difficult, apparently the FFA will reveal its plans to address this such as introducing accredited academies and football based performance schools, it better be very good or otherwise a lot of people wont be happy. Agree with the talent coming through this curriculum it must help them not hinder their development. Cheers for the discussion guys.
Realfootball
Guest
On this one, FFA finally made a wise decision. My fear now is that the money they save will not, in fact, be used for youth development. I don't trust them to do anything well.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I think Ruudolfson that connecting pathways from the many regions to higher levels is a good point, but we are already in trouble if a single, Canberra-based, AIS is necessary to do that for the whole of Australia. There are issues with Northern NSW Football's many regions who already feel disconnected from the Emerging Jets pathway that Northern were running ('handing' back to the Jets for control but all positions will remain as is for the interim) where your development effectively ended at 16. I think trying to build or connect regions where 16 year olds reach a dead end to potential A-League or NPL clubs is a better exercise to explore than keeping open a single academy for 18-odd players imo.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree with Caltex the AIS served its purpose but is not able to accommodate what really should be a greater production line of youth development now and in the future. I do also wonder what the plan is for youth development in general. It seems like clubs at all levels will be left to their own devices to implement their 'academies' at their own cost. Obviously the quality of programs and graduates will vary depending on the knowledge of individuals and available funding (for hiring and infrastructure). Still I believe this is the right decision that ultimately should get us closer to the critical mass of players emerging from 'the system' in the years to come.
Kaks
Roar Guru
You speak of Europe seeing youth development as a 'big deal' You do know that in Europe, the youth development is done by the professional clubs, yes? And that every professional club has scouting networks, not just all over the nation, but in other countries too, yes? You dont think these wont be implemented over time by every club? You dont think that Professional clubs will care more about youth player development as they see the benefits of the youth players potentially plying their trade with the senior team IF good enough?
Ruudolfson
Guest
Do you honestly believe a-league sides are ready to run full professional academies in the same level as the AIS/FFA COE? Why is the FFA divesting 1 million dollars to other things they would not mention to us? Where do you think players that come from places where they have no a-league side would go if they want to become a professional footballer? Thats why many people are not happy with the FFAs choice here, apologist ways would not do any good for australia's future. Australia needs more pathways not less.
saul
Guest
If we want a stronger national team we have to explore options
saul
Guest
Big Mistake giving the FFA control. Anyway there needs to be more focus on the A league giving young people the opportunity to play in the A league, how about introducing a rule that teams have to field at least three under 21 Australian players.
Kaks
Roar Guru
It frustrates me when i continually see football fans in the country unable to let go of old, and worn out, programs (and the like) whilst being unable to accept any new ideas. Constantly holding onto nostalgic feelings instead of looking at evolving. The AIS academy has run its course. The club academies are the right way to go. As with everything with football in this country - since nostalgia superseded evolution for so long - we are playing catch-up and will see the rewards down the line.
Ruudolfson
Guest
Big mistake the FFA are making, when the times around the world are investing heavily in youth development for various purposes from trying to make a world cup to even a long term attempt of winning one. Australia is going into the opposite direction and sees these things as a cost and not a investment, in Europe and especially in Asia they see youth development as a big deal, this is will have consequences down the track rightly or wrongly. The AIS/FFA Centre of Excellence is the only academy/training centre that's full time whilst have kids living on their room and mentally preparing them as life of professional footballers, from my understanding only a few a-league clubs have academies but its not the same standards in Canberra where its full time and it take a fair while till they are in the same level of excellence. Ideally you keep both and use the FFA COE, and other state NTCs for a different purpose such as targeting players that don't have an a-league club in their area (TAS, ACT, Northern Queensland etc), the more pathways/bigger catchment the better chance Australia will able to identify more players for the national teams. From experience Talent ID is a massive problem in a large geo. country like Australia. I have a feeling the FFA board don't have much understanding the complexities of the dynamics of the game around the world, the FFA have a responsibility to look after the best interests of the game and that includes youth development where the FAs invest a lot of time in. When they have given the responsibilities to the A-League clubs and NPL then we know where their priorities lie.
Lionheart
Guest
Thanks Greg, I enjoyed reading your article.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
The AIS, served its purpose, but now, it's time to move on with A-League academies.