In 2021, Claudelands Rovers launched a Youth Talent Development Programme in
partnership with the Waikato Football Academy. This is a skill development program that aims to engage players, grow abilities, foster ambition, and provide a sustainable development pathway for players at Claudelands Rovers.
This program fits into the bigger picture of the NZ Football Youth Framework, and the ambition is to provide a pathway for players to participate in competitive football environments and offer learning experiences in line with the NZ Football Framework, ensuring we provide players with the best chance possible to follow their dreams all the way to professional football.
Waikato Football Academy (WFA) has been providing skill development programs in the Waikato for over 10 years with the purpose of assisting players to reach their football goals.
Introduction
The program is built into Federation grade Youth teams (boys and girls) and has an ambitious three-year full integration timeline to become a full year training development program. By building this program into Federation teams, sustainable, long term growth strategies can be employed.
So, what does the program offer in 2022?
In 2022 (Year Two) the programme runs through Terms One, Two and Three.
The registration fee will cover:
● Claudelands Rovers Federation Fees
● 2x trainings per week in Term One – One Skills Centre and one team session
● 2x trainings per week – 1 training with the team coach and 1 training with an alternative coach at the Skills Centre (switching focus to individual development) in Terms Two and Three.
● Game days
● Skills Centre Training Kit (to be used during the season and returned)
● Individual player training program
● 2 feedback reports, mid-year and year-end
● Player sessions on Nutrition, Strength and Conditioning of athletes and/or Injury
Prevention.
Key Features:
Individual Training Plans and Player Growth Initiatives
These are tangible development profiles specific to each player. The Skills Centre focus’ on different aspects of a player’s growth including individual techniques, group tactics, team play, game knowledge and understanding, and player attributes. Individual Plans assess where the player is currently at and what they will achieve over the course of the program.
Nutrition and Strength and Conditioning of Athletes
These are new aspects of the program ensuring the players are learning how to look after their physical and mental wellbeing as well as fueling their bodies for peak performance.