Words: Michael Flynn, Football Queensland
Image: Keith Eigeland, Football Queensland

The NPL Queensland model is delivering the next generation to elite football programmes by improving talent identification for juniors across the state, according to Queensland Academy of Sport coach Josh McCloughan.

McCloughan coached the QAS team in last year’s senior competition and played five seasons at Brisbane Roar in the A-League prior to moving into coaching and player development.

This season he is guiding the QAS Under 18’s in weekly NPL competition as part of the NTC programme as well as providing assistance to Queensland state representative teams.

McCloughan said that in addition to his side’s regular fixtures, he intends to play additional friendly matches against all NPL Queensland clubs by year’s end, with the aim of identifying further talent for the QAS and, potentially, beyond.

“The clubs put together a combination of their Under 15 and Under 16 players that have been identified and we play them in a game. We get a closer look at them and the ones that perform and do well, we invite them into the QAS to train with a view to the longer term,” McCloughan explained.

“We’re trying to open a pathway and open our relationships with the NPL clubs so they know we are looking to improve and to give everyone an opportunity.”

McCloughan explained that coaches from the QAS and Football Queensland were constantly present at weekly NPL fixtures to identify talented junior footballers.

“We’re always looking. We finished a training session at Meakin Park last night and we stayed to watch the Under 15’s, Strikers playing Palm Beach, and it was a very good game.”

“There’s always one of us somewhere at the games, there are Football Queensland people out there watching. People think that just because they don’t see you there that there is no-one there, but there is always a representative there on the look-out.”

McCloughan also said the relationship between the QAS coaches and NPL Queensland club Technical Directors means that the best players will get opportunities to impress.

“All the technical directors want to see their kids get identified and do well.  They all want their kids to get an opportunity and I think the relationships we have now in this state are a lot better, in my opinion, than what is happening in any other state.”

“We’re trying to get it in the right position where we’ve got a good line of open communication where we have everyone involved and the NPL clubs are working with our elite programmes.”

“The kids out there need to see those opportunities are going to be there. That if they keep training well, performing and have a good attitude then they are going to get their chance.”

McCloughan also said that with the addition of Brisbane Roar’s NYL side in the NPL Queensland senior men’s competition this season, the pathway continues to extend towards the professional side of the game as well.

“We’ve got a great relationship with Jeff Hopkins, who is the coach of Roar’s NPL side, John Sime, who oversees a lot of the operations, and Ken Stead, who is the technical director,” he explained.

“During the off-season of last year, of everyone who was involved in the senior squad I had in the QAS, the majority went off and trained with the Roar youth in that off-season period.”

“They all got given that opportunity and trained with them throughout and benefitted greatly from that. The ones that impressed and did really well they are playing in the (Roar) NPL Senior team.”

He said ultimately, he wanted to see as many players as possible make the jump to professional football in the future.

“If you can sit back in two or three years’ time watching A-League and you’re watching a player you’ve played your part in – well that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”