The 2024/25 GFA Aztech Academy season is now well underway as we head into November training sessions.
After another competitive trial process, groups were once again selected for age groups 4-9. After last season’s reboot, this was the first year that current players from the new Academy had to retrial. This yearly challenge is so important as it keeps players honest and on their toes, rather than in a comfort zone. We saw some players who had missed out last year come back stronger after a year of hard work.
Some of course miss out this year, but hopefully with a renewed sense of purpose to work on their skills and show us how they have improved.
Week 1 –
The focus of the first week of training was predominately related to the social aspects of the game. Getting the players inducted and settled in the Academy environment; and acquainted with their new coaches and teammates. Part of the aim of the coach is to start to assess the players and see where everyone is at in terms of their technical skills, as well as psychological and social elements as people. Most groups took a training approach allowing multiple touches of the football, as well as some small sided game scenarios.
Week 2 –
In week two, there was a focus on getting the players working on their connectivity on the pitch, looking at style and shape ahead of ‘Match Day 1’ in week 3. Game scenarios would look at overload and underload situations, as well as transitional moments that would occur in a match. The ball mastery aspect would continue to challenge players in 1v1s and working on how to beat a player.
The coaches would be looking at how players deal with adversity and decision making in pressure moments, and how focused players are to help themselves and the team. A coaching style can then be adapted for certain individuals and how they learn.
Week 3 –
Week 3 saw some inter-academy matches take place.
Year 4 had their first experience of playing together when they matched up against the Year 5s. Still buoyed from their BWCI final performance, the Year 5s slowly took control against a spirted Year 4 side; but the Year 4s kept working as a group, and eventually got a goal that their play deserved. The Year 5s played some fantastic football and will hope to continue that into the 9-a-side game which they will be starting to learn this year.
Year 6 & 7 took each other on in a 9-a-side game which was tense and tight the whole way through. Both sides created several good opportunities, with the goalkeepers made to work to keep the game close.
The 7s eventually made the breakthrough to take a 1-0 lead, but the response from the 6s was fantastic, and they were unlucky not to get a goal themselves. This will have been a great learning opportunity in their first match working towards an U11 Muratti next year.
Year 8 & 9 also went toe to toe at the KGV in week 3. The superior strength and speed of the 9s seemed like it would make a big difference in the early stages. They controlled the ball well and looked to break fast in behind the 8s. But the game began to turn with the Year 8s committing more bodies forward after some good build up play.
The pressure built until they scored a great team goal. Another fantastic long range effort gave them a 2-0 lead heading into the latter stages. The 9s turned up the pressure late on and deservedly pulled one back, but the game finished 2-1. A great win for the 8s, and some good match practice for the 9s, leaving them with some knowledge of things to work on.
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