International Football School

[Mumbles]

Interesting discussion!

I can't see how you can debate about "the pathway" without defining the destination.

The pathway to playing for your country (via youth level) is quite rigid or well defined through the FFA.
Currently the opportunities are greater if you've played in the U17's or U20's because most have been through Reps, NTC's and AIS.

It doesn't mean it's your only option. If you've got the talent and determination you'll find a path.
Australian school boys/girls is one.

 

[dibo]

You guys are unbelievably arrogant! What you're suggesting is that as long as everyone's a meat eating FNSW loving person then the world of football is fine! Wake up lads we're not living back in 50s.

The vego thing I honestly couldn't care less about, other than to say it seems like something else that could do with a clearly explained rationale behind it.

I don't think anybody here 'loves' FNSW. FNSW (and FFA) are there for functional reasons - they serve a purpose. It's not about whether or not someone 'loves' that, it's about whether you support football having that common purpose and united program or whether you don't.

I don't honestly understand why IFS is outside the tent - why they're not tied in with an existing school and the CCMA to deliver football programs to the masses. "It's a good program" isn't enough - there are plenty of good programs inside the canonical pathway, so I want to know why they've chosen to be outside.

The existing specialist high school programs for talented players do a terrific job (look at the likes of Musti!) so I simply don't get why they need to be outside.

Going to the lengths of starting up a brand new school also seems a bit much - thinking from an educational point of view how are they going to ensure they deliver good academic outcomes? What are the teaching staff like? How has the balance between academic and sporting curriculum been struck?

This whole exercise seems to reinvent the wheel. I'm not convinced it's needed, I think there are other ways to get an outcome here that are already proven and don't draw players away from the orthodox pathway.

If it really does something that nobody else could possibly do (and "...but it's a school! A school just for football!" doesn't even go close to cutting the mustard), then convince me that I'm wrong.

 

[midfielder]

Interesting comments to date....

Not close enough to junior training to be able to offer comments one way or the other about the standards that IFS will produce... they appear to have quality coaches and have stated openly they wish to form a relationship with the Mariners...

All other things considered having a school saying it is a football school cannot be a bad thing....unless they are a front for a Bikie drug gang...

Time will the best test for the IFS and my guess is over time they will drift to FFA requirements if for nothing else to gain their approval for marketing.... sometimes the market place takes a while to get the balance right ...

However having a school saying they are a professional football school as I said cannot be a bad thing...

 

[offtheball]

The vego thing I honestly couldn't care less about, other than to say it seems like something else that could do with a clearly explained rationale behind it.

I don't think anybody here 'loves' FNSW. FNSW (and FFA) are there for functional reasons - they serve a purpose. It's not about whether or not someone 'loves' that, it's about whether you support football having that common purpose and united program or whether you don't.

I don't honestly understand why IFS is outside the tent - why they're not tied in with an existing school and the CCMA to deliver football programs to the masses. "It's a good program" isn't enough - there are plenty of good programs inside the canonical pathway, so I want to know why they've chosen to be outside.

The existing specialist high school programs for talented players do a terrific job (look at the likes of Musti!) so I simply don't get why they need to be outside.

Going to the lengths of starting up a brand new school also seems a bit much - thinking from an educational point of view how are they going to ensure they deliver good academic outcomes? What are the teaching staff like? How has the balance between academic and sporting curriculum been struck?

This whole exercise seems to reinvent the wheel. I'm not convinced it's needed, I think there are other ways to get an outcome here that are already proven and don't draw players away from the orthodox pathway.

If it really does something that nobody else could possibly do (and "...but it's a school! A school just for football!" doesn't even go close to cutting the mustard), then convince me that I'm wrong.

Maybe they have gone outside the system because the DET doesn't see a need for such a school on the Central Coast. There has long been talk of an existing school setting up a targeted sports program, but it seems to have gone the way of Gosford Waterfront plans.

Brisbane Water had a League program of sorts and Narara Valley have a plan to incorporate netball, union, football and league(I think).

My son went to Hunter and a few of his age group went to Narrabeen, a school on the Coast would have been a hell of a lot more convenient.

 

[dibo]

Schools are free to propose to DET to run a Talented Sports Program - in my job I worked through much of the process with a school down here with demand being the only obstacle.

I struggle to see how a school like NV, Kincumber or another fairly sports focussed school would have had trouble. Hell, even my old school (Gosford) could've done it.

 

[Yoda]

http://www.internationalfootballschool.com/2013/03/15/ifs-and-the-national-football-curriculum/

 

[dibo]

Their players aren't paying any dues to FNSW or FFA - they're using the intellectual property but they're not paying the rent.

 

[Lowlander]

I would not blindly accept the IFS as being the pinacle of football and academic development.

Too many parents with rose coloured glasses on thinking their child will be a superstar and paying for the privilege of keeping that dream alive. I question how many "superstars" the school is going to produce that established football programs cannot, all whilst jeopardising the academic development of the students that inevitably don't make it.

I would question the true motives behind those who established the school, is this an ego driven venture allowing them to say "I started that school" or are their intentions to truly develop children academically as well as their football skillset.

I know I am being the devils advocate, however you owe it to your children to deeply look into the IFS for all that it is and all that it is not.

 

[Mumbles]

I'd like to a club or IFS start to invest some time into real football education.
The fortunate few that attend the AIS receive education in diet, psychology (mental preparedness), age appropriate strength training (core and joint strength), pre-game preparation (warm ups, stretching, etc), game theory, post game recovery, and managing time (school v sport). Teach the technique and let the player practice at home or in the park in their own time.

Given all these skills a player can manage their own fitness and skills training outside of their regular 2 or 3 short training sessions per week and reach their true potential (without serious injuries). Assuming the child is committed. If not go have some fun with your friends.

 

[PaulChapman]

Interesting conversations on here about our school.

I am the Founder and CEO of the school and my door is always open for anyone who wants to find out more about our motives etc. I did want to share a few things if you are interested which may shed some light on a few conversations I have read above.

1. We are a not for profit organisation and any excess funds that the school generates by law must be re-invested back into our program which directly benefits our students and families. Our intention is to be as affordable as we can be so that as many people can access our programs as possible.

2. We have no intention of being outside the tent as some might suggest. We have had meetings with FFA, Football NSW, CC Mariners and CCF. We are working very hard to work together with these groups and if you believe our intention is to operate outside the system then you are wrong. All of our players are free to play for who ever they want with probably 60-70% of them playing for local clubs and the rest playing in rep or PL teams in Sydney. A small number of our students don't play football outside of school which is a family decision which we respect.

3. Liga questions. We entered Liga last year purely to ensure our players could play games. We had initial meetings with CCF at the beginning of last year with the intention of those meetings to see if we could work out a way to ensure our players could get game time, from our conversations with the CCF representative it seemed that this process would take much longer than we anticipated and Liga came along. We have recently pulled out of Liga due to the fact that it was proving to be too difficult for families to travel to Sydney each week and we have been able to play lots of games with local teams which is the reason we were part of Liga in the first place. Politics aside, we were very impressed with the organisation of the Liga Academy and wish them the best. Similarly we played in a gala day at Broadmeadow Magic recently which was also amazing, fantastic organisation and a great day. In the end we just want to ensure that our players have the ability to play games and put into practice their training.

I do not believe there should be change for change sack. However, one of the core reasons I set the school up was that I was finding it hard to ensure young players (in particular my own son) could have enough time training outside of school hours with all the commitments we have these days. My own 8 year old son was training 3 nights a week, often not getting home until 8.30-9PM, which created major issues, very tired children, poor diet, puts a strain on relationships etc. etc. etc....

I researched models in Europe and found some amazing school setups over there. Our school on a very basic level is about providing more time on the ball for aspiring young footballers during the school day. We take our academic program very seriously and our goal is to provide pathways for our students into the areas their passion takes them be it football, university, straight into industry or other areas. Without a strong academic program I would have never started the school and yes time will be our greatest test.

Term 1 has been very rewarding, we have had some significant challenges and I am sure many more challenges are on their way, however, like the Mariners, CCF, local clubs and any one else who is trying to create opportunities for young people I admire those involved and take my hat of to anyone who invests their time, energy and in many cases their life work into this endeavour. My staff amaze me every day and I get goosebumps daily when I see the joy on the faces of our students!

As I stated above, my door is always open and we have nothing to hide. Happy to share our goals, aspirations and explain in detail our programs (yes they are based on the FFA National Curriculum and our academic program is approved by the NSW Board of Studies) for those interested.

 

[Mumbles]

Well done for having the balls to make this school a reality.

 

[midfielder]

Well done for having the balls to make this school a reality.

+1

 

[dibo]

Interesting input Paul, thanks for the update.

 

[possum x]

Heard Andrew Ollier is now coaching at the football school now he is no longer with CCF.

 

[Bartlett]

That wouldnt surprise me, I had a son that was involved in the squad trainings they had at Pluim on Monday nights last year which he organised, they were excellent.

 

[possum x]

I believe that programme has been axed as well. It's a shame as they were a good link between club and elite.

 

[Bartlett]

yeah i enquired at my club about it again this year and they hadnt heard anything, which is a shame the kids seem to enjoy it, the only problem with the program were the things they couldnt control, the rain and the freezing temperature but my son liked it.

 

[possum x]

We have recently pulled out of Liga due to the fact that it was proving to be too difficult for families to travel to Sydney each week and we have been able to play lots of games with local teams which is the reason we were part of Liga in the first place.


Paul, travelling to Sydney is par for the course in elite football, kids are doing it every two weeks and in my case four times a week ( sometimes more). I'm no expert but just can't see you getting the competition you need without the travel. Some parents might want to consider this. Only my thoughts based on my childs improvement since we started travelling the F3.

 

[scottmac]

We have recently pulled out of Liga due to the fact that it was proving to be too difficult for families to travel to Sydney each week and we have been able to play lots of games with local teams which is the reason we were part of Liga in the first place.


Paul, travelling to Sydney is par for the course in elite football, kids are doing it every two weeks and in my case four times a week ( sometimes more). I'm no expert but just can't see you getting the competition you need without the travel. Some parents might want to consider this. Only my thoughts based on my childs improvement since we started travelling the F3.

Ahhh the good ol F3, the single reason I no longer live on the Coast.

 

[Mumbles]

Paul, travelling to Sydney is par for the course in elite football, kids are doing it every two weeks and in my case four times a week ( sometimes more). I'm no expert but just can't see you getting the competition you need without the travel. Some parents might want to consider this. Only my thoughts based on my childs improvement since we started travelling the F3.

Totally agree.