The Committees of Chatswood Rangers SC, St Michaels FC and Lane Cove FC are pleased to announce that they will be partnering to deliver Development Squads in 2016 for the U8 to 12 Mixed and U8 to U12 Girls age groups, including Diamond League Girls (NB: this may include U14 Girls in 2016).

The partnership will have a new name and playing strip (both TBD – competition for suggestions – see below) that seeks to represent the three partner clubs but also create a shared identity.

It is important to note that each club will continue to offer regular teams in all age groups across Mixed and Girls as per normal under the NSFA. Nothing will change there and each club is committed to ensuring community football is strongly supported and continues to thrive.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

• The Clubs believe that in order to deliver a high quality program for younger players looking to develop their skills and playing opportunities, scale is required. Forming a partnership between clubs will allow us to provide development opportunities similar to other clubs further afield that already have that scale in terms of player numbers to offer such programs.

• The main objective of the partnership is to ensure our players remain in the local area, offer advanced development and retain connections with their local clubs.

• St Michaels FC and Lane Cove FC offered shared programs in 2015 across 9 teams from U8 to U12 Mixed and Girls. Both Clubs have been very pleased with the outcomes and the positive feedback from the players and parents involved.

DETAILS

• TRIALS: November 10th and 12th at the Blackman Park synthetic football pitches.

• 2016 TRAINING STARTS: Mid-February, approximately a 26 week season.

• TRAINING TIMES

Teams will train two times per week on Mondays and Thursdays.

Younger age groups (most likely U8 to U10) will train from 5:00 to 6:20, with the older age groups from 6:20 to 7:40                      

• TRAINING LOCATION: Training will be held on synthetic, all-weather pitches at Blackman Park. For this reason training will rarely be cancelled.

• COACHING:

Teams will have a dedicated professional coach for both training and games for the entire season                       

Coaches will be provided by Soccer Kickstart, junior coaching providers to Western Sydney Wanderers clinics and the current coaches of the existing St Michaels FC and Lane Cove FC joint program                                     

• COST: the cost to be involved in the development program in 2015 was $985 in addition to club registration. Included in this fee was almost 100 hours of coaching, the cost of the training and playing strips and synthetic pitch hire as well as some additional training equipment such as portable goals, etc.  It is expected that the fees in 2016 will be approximately the same.

Of course there are still some logistical issues that need to be resolved. However the committees of Chatswood Rangers FC, St Michaels FC and Lane Cove FC all believe that forming a partnership to deliver development opportunities to their players is the most appropriate approach. It is a significant and positive step in the right direction to improve football in the local area and for players and their families to retain links to member clubs.

If you would like to express interest in participating or have any questions please contact your member club: admin@chatswoodrangers.com.au, soccer@stmichaelslanecove.com, admin@lcfc.com.au

OTHER QUESTIONS

Q: What is the structure of the new entity?

A: There will be a separate committee with two representatives from each club to deal with operational matters. As St Michaels and Lane Cove are already successfully engaged in a player development partnership, LCFC will be the contractually-liable party for hiring coaches and ground.

Q: Following on from above, why not form a new club?

A: With 34 clubs already in the Association, the NSFA has indicated they are reluctant to approve an entirely new club.

Q: Who will decide on the playing strip and club name?

A: COMPETITION: Member suggestions are welcome and the winning suggestion will receive a free club registration valued at up to $300.  The winner will be determined by the six person committee.  Consideration should be given to the colours of the member clubs and to the shared identity, with final approval to be provided by the NSFA. Ideally both the training and playing strips will feature the emblems of the three member clubs, possibly on the left breast.

Q: Will development squad girls also be able to play mixed football with their parent clubs?

A: Yes, subject to approval from the NSFA.  This option was available in 2015.

Q: Will service to the parent club be recognised?

A: Yes.