Football Federation SA responds to an article published in The Advertiser via Adelaide Now on Tuesday 20 November 2018 regarding Elite Player Pathway in South Australia.
Football Federation SA charges players within full-time pathway programs $1,080 each. The 40-week program provides a minimum of 3-4 training sessions per week plus one game per week.
Participants in these full-time programs have access to highly accredited coaches, equipment, first-class training and playing facilities, along with matchday and training apparel. Through these programs, participants have an opportunity to gain selection into National Championships, which is a common process across all elite sport.
The cost per session ranges between $6 and $8, representing great value.
Football Federation SA invests in the vicinity of $1,000,000 in pathway programs annually and does not generate revenue from these activities.
In the past five years, the number of players that have been selected from FFSA Development Programs into these pathways include;
Male
• 29 players selected into the Adelaide United Youth League
• 24 players selected into the AIS/Joeys
• 11 players selected into the Hyundai A-League
• 5 players selected for overseas clubs
• 3 players selected into the Socceroos
Female
• 28 players selected into the Adelaide United W-League
• 7 players selected in the Young Matildas/Matildas
• 9 players selected in or to train with the Under 17 National Team
In addition, many players have gone on to represent their club at the National Premier League level for both men and women.
Football Federation SA is committed to providing first-class programs for all participants and as part of this commitment, annual surveys are conducted with parents and players to gain their level of satisfaction and to identify improvements within the program.
The article published on Adelaide Now claimed that “parents of the state’s best collectively paying the SA federation more than $450,000.”
The figure quoted relates to Junior Player Registration and Team Registration Fees paid by approximately 13,000 players who participate in FFSA managed and organised competitions. The FFSA retains approximately $30 per player for their annual registration.
Cover image: Alex Chidiac celebrates for the Matildas. Photo: https://twitter.com/chidiac10