FFA Centre of Excellence

The FFA Centre of Excellence (formerly the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program) was a football talent identification and player development program run by Football Federation Australia (FFA) and was based at the Australian Institute of Sport, in Canberra. The Centre of Excellence ran this program for men: the program was one of the eight founding sports of the AIS in 1981. The FFA announced that the centre would close at the end of 2017.[1]

FFA Centre of Excellence
Full nameFFA Centre of Excellence
Founded1981
Dissolved2017
GroundAustralian Institute of Sport
LeagueNational Youth League
National Premier Leagues
20172nd

History

The AIS soccer program was funded by the Australian Federal Government, through the Australian Sports Commission. In 2005–2006 this funding amounted to A$1,115,000.[2] The format involved 20 students per year selected for an initial period of 12 months training and study, with the additional option of a second year. The men's program was residential, while the women's was training camp-based. Students were generally 15–17 years old when selected and required to have current, or pending, Australian citizenship.

The original stated aim of the men's program was

"To identify and develop players for the national under-20 youth team and to develop coaches through the Scholarship Coaching scheme".

Head coaches

National representation

Following the decision of several soccer graduates to represent other countries at a senior national level (e.g. Josip Simunic), the AIS implemented contracts whereby the cost of the scholarship would later have to be repaid by any graduate who went on to play soccer at a senior level representing a country – other than Australia – in international competition.[3]

World Cup

AIS soccer has developed many players to represent Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup.

2006 Germany

John Aloisi (1992), 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), Josip Šimunić (1994–1996) for Croatia[1]

2010 South Africa

Lucas Neill (captain) (1994–1995), Craig Moore (1992–1993), Brett Emerton (1995–1996), Luke Wilkshire (1998), Joshua Kennedy (1998–1999), Adam Federici (2002), Vince Grella (1996–1997), Carl Valeri (2000–2001), Nikita Rukavytsya (2005–2006), Mark Milligan (2002), Dario Vidosic (2005–2006), Marco Bresciano (1997), Josip Šimunić (1994–1996) for Croatia [1]

2014 Brazil

Marco Bresciano (1997), James Holland (2006–2007), Mitchell Langerak (2005–2006), Matt McKay (2000–2001), Mark Milligan (2002), Matthew Spiranovic (2006), Dario Vidosic (2005–2006) [1]

Competition participation

National Soccer League

The AIS fielded teams in the former National Soccer League's youth competition. Within that competition it was placed in the Northern Division. The AIS won three titles, in 1986, 1998 and 1999.

Victorian Premier League

The men's program had previously entered a team in the New South Wales Premier League competition in 2005. In 2007 the AIS entered a team into the Victorian Premier League. This would allow regular, weekly competitive matches that were lacking for previous scholarship holders.[4] As part of their inclusion as the only non-Victorian team in the VPL competition, all 'home' fixtures were played in Victoria for the 2007 season. The side struggled for consistency throughout the season, finishing 12th on the ladder, however great benefit was reportedly gained from the participation in a men's competition. In 2008 the men's program team continued to participate in the Victorian Premier League, improving from the previous year as the AIS finished 8th on the ladder. AIS home games were also played in Canberra, while some high-profile matches which includes the Round 21 match between the AIS and the Preston Lions FC was played in Country Victoria at Rumbalara Oval, Shepparton. This was designed to promote the competition and bring the top state league competition to new areas.

However the men's program team will cease to compete in the Victorian Premier League competition for 2009, as the AIS program will be designed to accommodate younger players, hence eliminating the need to compete in a senior men's competition.[5]

National Youth League

On 3 July 2009 it was announced the AIS would compete in the National Youth League.[6]

In August 2017 the Centre of Excellence was closed by the FFA.[7][8]

Squad

The following 19 players from across Australia were selected for scholarships in 2016.[9]

No. Position Name Club
1GKMatthew Sutton Melbourne City
2DFJames Fletcher Canberra United
3DFPatrick Scibilio APIA Leichhardt
5DFJoel King Sydney FC
6MFKai Trewin Brisbane Roar
7FWJacob Italiano Borussia Monchengladbach
8MFEduardo Castaneda FFTAS NTC
9FWJohn Roberts FNSW NTC
10MFLachlan Brook FFSA NTC
11FWMirza Muratovic Sydney United
12GKJordan Griffiths Brisbane Olympic
15DFLuke Callen Newcastle Jets
17MFLouis D'Arrigo Adelaide United
19FWMark Moric Sydney United
20FWBryce Bafford Perth Glory
21FWMelad Ahmad FFSA NTC
22FWJaidon Selden Perth Glory

Notable alumni

List of players with 10 caps or more for their country. Names in bold for players who represented their Country at a FIFA World Cup.

NameClubPositionYearsCurrent statusCountryInternational caps
Frank FarinaFW1982–83Coaching67
Warren Spink Cooks Hill UnitedFW1983–84Coaching38
Robbie HookerDF1984–85Retired22
Jason PolakMF1985–87Retired32
Paul Trimboli Melbourne VictoryFW1986Administration46
Jason van Blerk Central Coast Mariners AcademyMF1986Coaching33
Craig FosterMF1986–87Media29
Steve HorvatDF1987–88Retired32
Shaun MurphyDF1988Retired18
Ned ZelićDF1988Media34
George SorrasFW1989–90Retired27
Alistair Edwards Johor Darul Ta'zimFW1988Coaching19
Steve Corica Sydney FCMF1989–90Coaching32
Kevin MuscatDF1990–91Coaching46
Craig Moore Coomera ColtsDF1992–93Coaching52
Hayden Foxe Perth GloryDF1993–94Coaching11
Josip SkokoMF1992–93Retired51
John AloisiFW1992–93Coaching55
Mark VidukaFW1992–93Retired43
Lucas NeillDF1994–95Retired96
Josip Šimunić Croatia U-19DF1995–96Coaching105
Brett EmertonMF1996Retired95
Vince GrellaMF1996Agent46
Simon ColosimoDF1996–97Retired26
Anthony ŠerićMF1996–97Retired16
Mile SterjovskiMF1996–98Retired43
Mark BrescianoMF1997Retired84
Ivan ErgićMF1997–98Retired11
Luke Wilkshire Wollongong WolvesMF1997–98Coaching80
Joshua KennedyFW1998–99Media36
Jade NorthDF1999Playing41
Alex BrosqueFW2001Retired21
Matt McKayMF2001Retired59
Carl Valeri Dandenong CityMF2001–02Playing52
Adam Federici Stoke CityGK2002Playing16
Mark Milligan Southend UnitedMF2002Playing80
Robbie Kruse Melbourne VictoryFW2005–06Playing75
Nikita Rukavytsya Maccabi HaifaFW2005–06Playing18
Dario Vidošić ATKMF2006Playing23
Matthew SpiranovicFree agentDF2006Playing36
James Holland LASK LinzMF2006–07Playing15
Nathan BurnsFree agentFW2006Playing24
Rhyan Grant Sydney FCDF2008Playing12
Trent Sainsbury Maccabi HaifaDF2009–10Playing48
Adam Taggart Suwon Samsung BluewingsFW2009–10Playing11
Milos Degenek Red Star BelgradeDF2012Playing28

References
  1. "Remembering the contributions of AIS Men's football to the Socceroos". The Roar. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  2. Net loss: let games begin, SMH, 1 July 2006
  3. Croatia warned away from 'kindie', Daily Telegraph, 13 January 2006
  4. AIS get VPL spot Archived 11 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The World Game, 21 November 2006
  5. "Withdrawal of the AIS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  6. AIS Join The National Youth League Archived 9 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Helmers, Caden (26 April 2017). "FFA Centre of Excellence to close under strategy to provide more young players with opportunities". The Canberra Times.
  8. "FFA to close Centre of Excellence in August". The World Game. SBS. 26 April 2017.
  9. "FFA CoE 2016". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
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