Beneath the harsh criticism and ardour expressed by football fans lies a sense of pride and optimism in seeing a future prospect break into the first team.
Since the disbandment of the NSL, Australia’s youth development has been scrutinised for its inability to produce players who possess the quality to make it in Europe like many before them.
To say there aren’t talented youth out there would be naive. The attention should instead be shifted towards bridging the significant gap between football at a grassroots and professional level.
Expansion will contribute to harnessing youth, though for some it may be too late, which is why until that occurs an effective system must be implemented.
A lack of funds has stunted the potential and legitimacy of the National Youth League. Having youth compete in their state NPL may benefit endurance and physicality but the significant gap in professionalism restricts players from achieving their potential.
A possibility currently circulating is allowing A-League clubs to loan players, ideally providing youth on the periphery greater opportunities to develop elsewhere before returning.
If you need convincing then look no further than what a spell on loan did for Aaron Mooy.
The Championship and the A-League may be chalk and cheese but like England’s lower leagues, granting youth opportunities at a professional level is something the A-League can achieve through a loan system.
The vast international fixtures during the launch of the season have become a blessing in disguise, providing opportunities for a range of starlets such as Jacob Italiano (Perth Glory), Nathan Atkinson (Melbourne City) and Christian Theoharous (Melbourne Victory), who are all met with the ‘he’s one of our own’ chant when they come on the field.
These players have taken a significant step in their football careers this season, providing a unique aspect to the on-field dynamic of their respective clubs.
In addition, allowing youth to be loaned out domestically will provide an alternative to moving overseas, perhaps before they’re ready.
There has been much debate over what is best for the development of Australian youth when big European clubs come knocking. It would be difficult to refuse an offer from a club the size of Liverpool or Ajax, however every player’s career path is different. There is no set way for these players to make it.
Sebastian Pasquali’s departure to Ajax is one which raised a few eyebrows. The then 16-year-old had broken into the team at Melbourne Victory before swiftly joining the Ajax academy. He now plays most his minutes in the Under-19s.
While staying at Victory would have guaranteed Pasquali a greater chance of first team football, this is not to say he made the wrong decision.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
Josh Brillante and Danny De Silva were also in this bracket and were forced to return to Australia. But they have reinvigorated their careers, immersing themselves in a new football culture where they would have gained a greater understanding of what it takes to make it in Europe.
Returning to the A-League following a stint in Europe should not be looked down upon. Brillante, De Silva and even Thomas Deng have shown how returning and establishing themselves as pivotal players in their squads has bolstered their ambitions for a European return.
Although, as mentioned earlier, every player’s career path differs from the next, amplifying the significance of a loan system.
Unfortunately, when it comes to youth development there is a conflict of interest among the FFA. Youth development is a top priority for the FFA and while fresh faces will buoy existing fans, it will do nothing towards enticing new fans who would rather see established stars.
Currently, each A-League club may be granted up to nine international players on their list – consisting of the five visa spots as well as a guest marquee, injury replacements, Australian or New Zealand citizens who have chosen to represent another national team and players who have gained Australian or New Zealand citizenship.
While it is very rare a club would tick all these boxes, it does not leave a lot of wiggle room for youth to come through. Funnily enough Perth Glory are the only club to have granted visas to five players this season and have simultaneously blooded the most youth.
Is it then worth reducing the amount of visa spots to four? Or even re-surfacing the proposed idea of a 3+1 concept where the extra player counts as an Asian marquee?
The future of prosperous youth in Australia is a delicate issue and is one where there is no set-in-stone way of addressing. But what the FFA can do is help improve it by providing alternatives, such as the option of a loan, to help players fulfil their potential.
Kangajets
Guest
I 100 percent agree with you . The old nsl produced so many talented youth . Who had terrific careers overseas. The current program are not as productive as yet
Will
Guest
Disagree with the fact its the best it's ever been, the players produced in the past were light years better than the current players and I say that with no disrespect to the current team who have done well with a limited talent pool. We have to remember the great teams in the past who produced some excellent players in Zelic, Okon, Viduka, Aloisi these clubs put youth development as part of the profile from the juniors years and up to the seniors and benefited from it with decent transfer fees back in those times. Name one player that comes through the current system from the youth and up? Who developed the current Socceroos? Mooy? Developed his time at NSWIS before going overseas to Bolton, Rogic? wasn't deemed good enough for the AIS and got picked up by Arnie when he was at the Nike Academy, Sainsbury? Was also deemed not good enough once he left the AIS and got picked up by Arnie, Behich? Played in the NPL1 in Victoria Leckie? also played in the NPL2 in Victoria and got picked up by chance by Adelaide. Gersbach? was developed by Sutherland Sharks before moving to the FFA COE/AIS. Whilst the likes of Wright and Luongo got neglected here and so they had to move overseas. Even though the NSL had problems the one thing they did well developed and nurture future national teams players and prepared them well for national team duties (made 2 semifinals at the u20 world cup) They got scouted earlier so they did not slip through the net something we can't say about the current system with the a-league/NTC structure enough. So that's why i cant agree that the current system is better than its ever been, all if not most the current players had to come through different avenues just to be here, they had to struggle to find a way and im sure there is more out there who want that chance too. Even though we have so many elite and private elite programs at junior level we have not developed the same class of players as we once did. Hopefully, things can change for the better.
Kangajets
Guest
A loan system will work well when we have a second division running concurrently with the A league
Waz
Guest
Friday night.
New grobelaar
Guest
Rbb Thanks buddy . I think he means npl How do you see the wsw v roar game tonight ? Has a fair bit riding on it ?
Waz
Guest
Will, I’m not sure where you’re coming from? Youth development is not without its issues but it’s at the best it’s ever been. While the ffa is cutting back in youth development by closing the AIS, the nine A League clubs are opening academies down to U12 and some down to mini-Roos.
Nemesis
Guest
Melbourne Victory has: - ALeague team - WLeague team - NYL team - NPL senior team, who must all be u20 - NPL u20 team, who must all be u17
Will
Guest
Youth development has been neglected for far too long, something has to be done not just for a-League but ultimately for the long term of the Socceroos too. When developing players it’s a numbers game, the more clubs investing, the more opportunities, eventually the more players you can produce. Youth development needs to be incentivised which right now it’s not happening as we like it to be. We still have the same issues with the lack of opportunities and lack of game and ultimately it reflects on youth team results but also the lack of depth with the national team.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Well you let me know when I don't make a valid point. I was just complimenting the author on not writing a b0neheaded article, that's all.
At work
Roar Rookie
Because you're mates with the editors... Not really but I don't really care either way. Often you have valuable and interesting input, but it seems mostly you're here to bait and argue with certain other regular contributors, even if your comments aren't outlandish.. For people like me who don't post too often but mainly read the articles and scroll through the comments from other football fans, wadding through the crap to read genuine comments is quite frustrating.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It doesn't benefit me at all. It benefits the author and the Roar. Do you ever stop to think why someone like me 'gets' away with so much on this site?
At work
Roar Rookie
The shot at a particular poster who published an article yesterday, which you're trying to bait. Maybe it is you who benefits from the amount of comments on a football article, as whenever you get involved it adds at least an additional 25% comments.
Kangajets
Guest
Was Good to see we can agree on something
Kangajets
Guest
Waz Good to see we agree on something. ?
Nick Symonds
Guest
NEWS: Canberra whizkid Mazis set to follow Rogic to Celtic - https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/01/04/canberra-whizkid-mazis-set-follow-rogic-celtic "Hot Australian prospect Leo Mazis could be about to join Socceroos star and fellow Canberra product Tom Rogic at Celtic, with reports linking the teenager to a three-year deal at the Scottish champions." Rogic and Mazis are both linked to player agent Andy Bernal, also from Canberra. Jeff Williamson who is involved with a Canberra A-League bid has mentioned on The Roar that Canberra would be a good place for Celtic to have a team. I wonder if that could happen?
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Get over what? I'm simply saying this isn't a rubbish article (like a few this week) that would never fly within Australia. Perhaps in Bulgaria some of these might, but I'm not sure of their laws. This article just lacks any real conviction with its arguments.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
There is no NSL. Its a defunct comp which ended in 2003.
At work
Roar Rookie
Get over it Rick
Lionheart
Guest
Yes, all good points above. How can you have a loan system when you don't have a transfer system? Clubs recruit from all over the country and target the State IS (and previously AIS) and other clubs youth, so in a roundabout way, in a no-transfer league, we already have about as good as we will get. We need a second division and a couple more A League sides, that'll do more for youth than a loan system.
GavanD
Guest
1 - take inspiration from the US re-brand the NYL teams as Second teams so that it basically becomes the National Second League 2 - expand the NSL like there is no tomorrow as well as p/r with the NPL 3 - introduce a rule in the NSL to max 3 of over age (23+) players