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FDA Academy
Players that missed the 2009 season trials are welcome to register their interest to trial here:
2009 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT:
FDA Milan Academy will continue as FDA Academy for elite player development in 2009. FDA’s mission is to keep up to date with the latest youth development methodology and techniques around the world and FDA Academy will draw on a wider range of international expertise to facilitate the development of its players and coaching staff in 2009.
FDA will also offer the players who are selected to join the FDA Academy program in 2009 a unique opportunity to play against some of the top teams from professional Academies in Europe as part our 2009 International Tour.
FDA AC Milan Academy in Sydney offers the unique opportunity for young local Australian players to develop in one of the most advanced Football (soccer) Academy Programs in Australia. The objective of the FDA Milan Academy is to develop players technically, tactically, physically and psychologically as if they were based in Europe.
FDA’s relationship with AC Milan allows us to source football (soccer) development expertise of the highest quality in relation to technical, tactical, physical, psychological and medical aspects of the game from an environment that is constantly improving its performance through research and analysis. FDA is excited about bringing this expertise to Australia on a permanent basis and confident that the AC Milan Academy will provide a valuable educational and development experience for local players and coaches alike.
Junior players are coached by a team based in Sydney. A number of guest coaches also visit the Academy during the year. (for example Daniele Massaro, ex-AC Milan player, World Cup and UEFA Champions league winner, Mauro Ardizzone, Mauro Lessina). For more information, please visit the "Coaches" section
How is the Milan Academy different?
The Academy training program is based on the program used by the AC Milan Academy Youth Teams.
FDA’s Sydney based Milan Academy has access to a Test and Performance program that has been designed specifically to monitor young players’ development in key areas of their game. The performance data of each player are submitted to a central database in Italy for assessment and comparison with the data of Elite players in AC Milan Academies around the world. This way, the performance reports provided are not based on the local coaches’ opinion but on the scientific data provided by AC Milan, founded on the First team, Youth Department Development and Milan Lab research.
The FDA AC Milan Academy players with AC Milan legend Daniele Massaro.
Can anyone attend AC Milan Academy?
Unlike the Milan Junior Camp, which is open to all players aged 6-15, the AC Milan Academy is open only to male elite players born between 1996 and 2001. To be able to attend, each player needs to go through a selection process (trials) and will be notified of the Academy’s decision in a formal letter of acceptance.
What is the number of hours FDA AC Milan Academy players will be expected to train for?
The 2008 Milan Academy program will start on 8th March 2008 and finish on December 6th 2008. Players will be required to participate for the 10 full months, 3 times a week (Tue, Thu and Sat) Players will be given 1 week off during each school holiday to ensure a sufficient recovery time and to allow them to participate in family holidays.
The Milan Academy program is a professional junior football development program and targets players who are focused and dedicated to football. Absence from training sessions for other reasons than injury or illness will be noted by the Academy coaching team and frequent absenteeism may prevent players from continuing the 2008 program and progressing to the following year’s program.
Will the players attending AC Milan Academy play in a competition?
The Milan Academy Coaching staff has conducted a detailed review of local junior football competitions in Sydney. The core focus of the Academy is on elite player development. Based on this philosophy the strength of the current pool of players at the Academy this year the Milan Academy squads will play regular games against competitive opposition. The Academy will also organize mini tournaments for its teams.
FDA Milan Academy players holding the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the AC Milan Friendship Cup 2008 in June 2008, Milan, Italy
How can parents monitor the progress of their child?
A Test and Performance program has been designed specifically to monitor young players’ development in key areas of their game and reports will be provided to parents on the development of the academy players at the completion of the program every year. FDA organises regular educational sessions and forums for parents.
What are the costs associated with attending the Academy?
The fees for the 2009 season will be available on this website shortly.
What does the Academy fee include?
The information on 2009 season, calendar, etc will be available on this website shortly.
Where and when will the trials be held?
The selection trials for the 2008 program were held at the Athletics Centre, Sydney Olympic Park in December 2007. If you missed out and feel you would like to be considered, please send an email containing the player's name, date of birth, current club and position to info@footballdevelopment.com.au. If you would like to receive an invitation to the 2009 selection trials, please sign up to receive FDA email updates.
How will the trials be conducted?
The Academy trials offer young players the opportunity to show off the strong side of their game, whether it’s a particular skill, speed, control or ability in a one on one situation. Each group of players (maximum of 20 players at one time) are divided into small groups and tested by the AC Milan Youth Development Coaches on technical aspects of their game (juggling, control, dribbling, heading and shooting) through a number of different drills. Speed, agility and reaction will also be monitored along with physical condition and discipline in understanding and completing the exercises. Our goal is to create a fun, stress free atmosphere so that young players thoroughly enjoy the experience.
Players from the Sydney based FDA AC Milan Academy with (from left) Cormac Begley, FDA Director and Adriano Galliani, AC Milan Club President at the AC Milan Friendship Cup 2008 opening ceremony, in June 2008.