FFA Centre of Excellence
National Youth League National Premier Leagues | |||
2017 | 2nd | ||
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| |||
The FFA Centre of Excellence (formerly the Australian Institute of Sport Football Program) was a
History
The AIS soccer program was funded by the Australian Federal Government, through the Australian Sports Commission. In 2005–2006 this funding amounted to A$1,115,000.[2] The format involved 20 students per year selected for an initial period of 12 months training and study, with the additional option of a second year. The men's program was residential, while the women's was training camp-based. Students were generally 15–17 years old when selected and required to have current, or pending, Australian citizenship.
The original stated aim of the men's program was
"To identify and develop players for the national under-20 youth team and to develop coaches through the Scholarship Coaching scheme".
Head coaches
- Jimmy Shoulder (1981–1986) [1]
- Ron Smith (1986–1996) [1]
- Steve O'Connor (1996–2008)
- Jan Versleijen (2008–2011)
- Tony Vidmar (2012–2017)
National representation
Following the decision of several soccer graduates to represent other countries at a senior national level (e.g.
World Cup
AIS soccer has developed many players to represent
2006 Germany
2010 South Africa
2014 Brazil
Competition participation
National Soccer League
The AIS fielded teams in the former
Victorian Premier League
The men's program had previously entered a team in the
However the men's program team will cease to compete in the
National Youth League
On 3 July 2009, it was announced the AIS would compete in the
In August 2017, the Centre of Excellence was closed by the
Notable alumni
List of players with 10 caps or more for their country. Names in bold for players who represented their Country at a FIFA World Cup.
Name | Club | Position | Years | Current status | Country | International caps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Farina | FW | 1982–83 | Coaching | ![]() |
67 | |
Warren Spink | ![]() |
FW | 1983–84 | Coaching | ![]() |
38 |
Robbie Hooker | DF | 1984–85 | Retired | ![]() |
22 | |
Jason Polak | MF | 1985–87 | Retired | ![]() |
32 | |
Paul Trimboli | ![]() |
FW | 1986 | Administration | ![]() |
46 |
Jason van Blerk | ![]() |
MF | 1986 | Coaching | ![]() |
33 |
Craig Foster |
MF | 1986–87 | Media | ![]() |
29 | |
Steve Horvat | DF | 1987–88 | Retired | ![]() |
32 | |
Shaun Murphy |
DF | 1988 | Retired | ![]() |
18 | |
Ned Zelić |
DF | 1988 | Media | ![]() |
34 | |
George Sorras | FW | 1989–90 | Retired | ![]() |
27 | |
Alistair Edwards | ![]() |
FW | 1988 | Coaching | ![]() |
19 |
Steve Corica | ![]() |
MF | 1989–90 | Coaching | ![]() |
32 |
Kevin Muscat | DF | 1990–91 | Coaching | ![]() |
46 | |
Craig Moore | Coomera Colts |
DF | 1992–93 | Coaching | ![]() |
52 |
Hayden Foxe | Perth Glory |
DF | 1993–94 | Coaching | ![]() |
11 |
Josip Skoko | MF | 1992–93 | Retired | ![]() |
51 | |
John Aloisi | FW | 1992–93 | Coaching | ![]() |
55 | |
Mark Viduka | FW | 1992–93 | Retired | ![]() |
43 | |
Lucas Neill | DF | 1994–95 | Retired | ![]() |
96 | |
Josip Šimunić | ![]() |
DF | 1995–96 | Coaching | ![]() |
105 |
Brett Emerton | MF | 1996 | Retired | ![]() |
95 | |
Vince Grella | MF | 1996 | Agent | ![]() |
46 | |
Simon Colosimo | DF | 1996–97 | Retired | ![]() |
26 | |
Anthony Šerić | MF | 1996–97 | Retired | ![]() |
16 | |
Mile Sterjovski | MF | 1996–98 | Retired | ![]() |
43 | |
Mark Bresciano | MF | 1997 | Retired | ![]() |
84 | |
Ivan Ergić | MF | 1997–98 | Retired | ![]() |
11 | |
Luke Wilkshire | ![]() |
MF | 1997–98 | Coaching | ![]() |
80 |
Joshua Kennedy | FW | 1998–99 | Media | ![]() |
36 | |
Jade North | DF | 1999 | Retired | ![]() |
41 | |
Alex Brosque | FW | 2001 | Retired | ![]() |
21 | |
Matt McKay | MF | 2001 | Retired | ![]() |
59 | |
Carl Valeri | MF | 2001–02 | Retired | ![]() |
52 | |
Adam Federici | GK | 2002 | Retired | ![]() |
16 | |
Mark Milligan | MF | 2002 | Coaching | ![]() |
80 | |
Robbie Kruse | FW | 2005–06 | Retired | ![]() |
75 | |
Nikita Rukavytsya | Free agent | FW | 2005–06 | Playing | ![]() |
21 |
Dario Vidošić | MF | 2006 | Coaching | ![]() |
23 | |
Matthew Spiranovic | DF | 2006 | Retired | ![]() |
36 | |
James Holland |
![]() |
MF | 2006–07 | Playing | ![]() |
17 |
Nathan Burns | FW | 2006 | Retired | ![]() |
24 | |
Rhyan Grant | ![]() |
DF | 2008 | Playing | ![]() |
21 |
Trent Sainsbury | ![]() |
DF | 2009–10 | Playing | ![]() |
58 |
Adam Taggart | ![]() |
FW | 2009–10 | Playing | ![]() |
16 |
Milos Degenek |
![]() |
DF | 2012 | Playing | ![]() |
41 |
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Remembering the contributions of AIS Men's football to the Socceroos". The Roar. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
- ^ Net loss: let games begin, SMH, 1 July 2006
- ^ Croatia warned away from 'kindie', Daily Telegraph, 13 January 2006
- ^ AIS get VPL spot Archived 11 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The World Game, 21 November 2006
- ^ "Withdrawal of the AIS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ AIS Join The National Youth League Archived 9 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Helmers, Caden (26 April 2017). "FFA Centre of Excellence to close under strategy to provide more young players with opportunities". The Canberra Times.
- ^ "FFA to close Centre of Excellence in August". The World Game. SBS. 26 April 2017.