SAP Foundation Gala Day sees biggest turn out yet

FFV Website

Over 400 players involved in the program from around Victoria attended

The first Skill Acquisition Program (SAP) Foundation Gala Day for 2015 kicked off at Hume City FC over the weekend with the biggest turn out since the program's inception.

Over 400 players involved in the program attended the Gala Day representing their NPL clubs and regional associations, having completed their first six weeks of training focused on the four core functional game skills - first touch, one v one, running with the ball and striking the ball.

With current and former professionals including Archie Thompson, Josip Skoko and Danny Allsopp watching on, the day showcased the development of all players, showing the coaches present how well each one of them could implement what they had learned at training, in a fun and results free competition.

Despite this being the biggest Gala Day so far, Football Federation Victoria technical director David Smith believes there is more potential for SAP to grow.

"[SAP] is not just limited to NPL. We are trying to expand it," Smith said.

"Every kid that plays football should have the opportunity to play in a skills acquisition type program, which is really important to the technical development of kids.

"For kids to be able to play better football, we need to give them the technical attributes to be able to go along with it."

Teams involved in the program played up to four games against other SAP groups in their age category, in either 8v8 on half a pitch or 6v6 on a quarter of a full-sized pitch allowing players more opportunity to refine technique and decision making.

At the end of the day, teams were offered a chance to mix players and age groups in line with the spirit of the day, and program.

Coaches of the program also had the opportunity to attend a workshop and be given feedback as to how their own coaching and players are developing.

The whole day could not have run so smoothly without the support of the Hume City FC volunteers as well as helpers from FC 11, the boys NTC, FFV referees and David Smith.

The next Gala Day on Saturday July 25th.

 




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