Football Focus News

Join Titch at this year's Festa...

Titch (our new inflatable soccer field) will be on show at Festa 2008 - the Croatian Food and Wine Festival - Saturday, November 22nd 2008 from 11am. More information and directions on the Festa website: www.croatianfesta.org.au

Summer Development Squads - dates announced

Perfect for players who aspire to play for club teams later; great pre-season training for school players or for those who simply love the game and wish to continue developing and enhancing their skills. Small group coaching in team environment. Boys and girls welcome, ages 8 up...more>>

Head Coach Lands Top Job!!

Football Focus's Head Coach Neil Young has been appointed as new Senior Coach for Cumberland United Football Club. Junior need not despair as Neil will continue to be an integral part of Football Focus's Junior Development Program.

We are delighted to announce that Neil will be joining Cumberland for the 2009 season. His experience in England as both player and player/coach will no doubt be a huge asset to the club. Please join us in wishing Neil every success in his new role. To read more about Neil and his move to Australia to join Football Focus please refer to the article and press release below>>

Summer Squads Filling Fast

Don't be disappointed Summer Squads start soon.

Professional squads for club players, girls only squads and keeper squads all booking now. See the relevant tab for more details on each program or registration information. Return registration form or ring Rachel on 0405 167422 to reserve your place.

Family Picnic in the Park

Football Focus squad players are invited to join us for an end of year picnic at the fabulous Belair National Park on Sunday 20th December 2008.

Mark the date in your diary now, full details will be sent directly to squad players.

Girls, Girls, Girls! Love soccer? Then Read On...

Join a squad of like minded football (soccer) loving girls this summer to develop your soccer skills and hopefully make a few new friends along the way in our new girls only soccer program.

All the fun, expertise and skills progression offered in the Professional Squads - just without the guys! more>>

Calling all Club Players.

How do you plan to keep your skills up over the closed season?

Football Focus don't close for summer, we open the doors for Club players (8 - 16 years) and work closely with you on your individual skills so that you start the new season stronger than you finished the last. Small squads, highly experienced coaches, age matched groups. Interested? more here >>

Who Says the Soccer Season is Over?

The Winter season may be drawing to a close but Football Focus is offering a full program of activities with something for everyone right through Summer: perfect for those who don’t want to lose momentum in their development.

Optimize your skills at the October Holiday School of Excellence running for four days in week two of the holidays and challenge yourself in the skills testing.

Club players are invited to join the Professional Squads or Goal Keeper Squads during the four months of the closed season. Girls are welcomed at the Professional Squads or may opt for an exclusive girls only soccer squad.

Having a party... end of season/presentation days, Birthday, Christmas etc? Titch is available for hire with or without coaching.

Download summer soccer flyer (220kb) here>>

Professional Goal Keeper Joins the Team

Goal keeper squads kick off soon with a new face. Dimitri Brinias has moved home to Australia after playing professional football overseas with clubs such as Panathinaikos (Greece), AFC Bournemouth (England) and Frascati (Italy) where he was awarded serie d goalkeeper of year by Corriere dello Sport before signing with Chievo Verona.

Dimitri brings extensive goal keeping experience to the coaching team in a highly sought after specialist area. He currently plays in the Superleague for White City Woodville. This is another excellent opportunity for budding goal keepers to learn from a player with international experience, to learn about life as a Professional footballer and be inspired to achieve their dreams. Please register early to avoid disappointment. more>> NB. Minimum and maximum  numbers apply to all squads.

Goal Keeper Squads Return

Dedicated Goal Keeper Squads, training in an exclusive small group with a choice of venue and night. Enhance your skills through the closed season with our new professional goal keeper coach and start the new season strong. more>>

Places strictly limited - early registration recommended!

October Holiday School of Excellence Soccer Clinics

Running for 4 days in the second week of the October School Holidays this multi level course provides a challenging but rewarding environment for players, aged 8-16, committed to developing their skills, striving for the next level.

With technical ability skills testing, a free StrikeRite™ soccer ball and training DVD ($50 value) for every player plus high quality professional coaching and more features like   the giant inflatable soccer field "Titch", the clinics are sure to book fast. Read more>>

(please note places are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis)

English Premier League Connection

News of Neil's move to Adelaide reaches           The Advertiser, as his brother signs for Aston Villa. Read the article>>

English Professional Player joins Football Focus

Football Focus is delighted to announce that English Professional Footballer (soccer player), Neil Young is joining the coaching team as Head Coach in July.

Announcing his retirement from a14 year professional playing career, the Bournemouth defender is eager to start his new challenge downunder. ”I've always wanted to move into coaching and this is a great opportunity for me to stay in the game. I'm sure I will miss playing but my main aim is to coach. With my experience I have a lot to offer.”

Neil is moving to Adelaide with is wife Melanie and daughters Mia and Maddi (pictured). We invite you to come and meet him at our new Holiday School of Excellence soccer clinics. This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring young players to learn first hand from a Professional role model, to hear what it takes to make it as a Professional Soccer Player.

Read the media release>>

Football (Soccer) Parties

Special Occasion? Having a Party? Football (soccer) Birthday Party?

Check out our new inflatable football (soccer) pitch “Titch”. Perfect for small sided games and mini tournaments, reduced time chasing wandering balls, fun for all ages and abilities.

A wide range of other equipment also available. Available for hire with or without coaching/referee. Back yard too small - talk to us for options!

Call Jason direct for full details and availability on 0405 726093. Download flyer>>

Published in Four Four Two...

"The Long Road To Success" ... Football Focus article published recently. Read the full article here>>

3 Seasons Working With Princes

Interest in football (soccer) continues to grow at a rapid pace in Australia,  hence the demand for enhanced school soccer programs.

With the impending school soccer season, Football Focus enters it's third season working with Prince Alfred College, proudly leading their soccer development program.

"Titch" Arrives - The NEW Mini Pitch

18 months after launching "The Pitch", South Australia's only Giant Inflatable Football (soccer) Field, Football Focus unveils it's new acquisition The Mini Pitch.

Affectionately named, "Titch" is a half size replica of the original Pitch with the same features and emphasis on fun. Advancing the small sided game and continuous ball time, Titch is perfect for smaller venues, shorter hire times, functions with limited space and even parties but still appeal to all ages and sizes. more>>

Elite Squad Triumph in Sydney

13 Elite Squad players travelled to Sydney in January for an interstate tournament, the only team representing South Australia.

Following their victory at the Cross Border Tournament earlier this year the Elite Squad triumph again at the Valentine Cup in Sydney... photos and more>>

Jake Wins Scholarship to IIT, Chicago, USA

Leaving his comfort zone, Jake heads for a new adventure in Chicago, winning a scholarship to follow his dreams playing football full time for the Hawks at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Valued and respected at Football Focus Holiday Clinics, with an infectious enthusiasm for the game many players aspired to Jake's ability whilst also having a ball. Jake assisted Jason with selection of the successful South Zone Team for the 2007 State Talent Identification Championships - they finished runners up.

Training daily, with matches up to 3 times a week during the season, the Hawks compete in the NAIA Div 1 and compete in the Chicagoland conference. The prospect of achieving a Business Management Degree in pursuit of his dreams on the football pitch will be the icing on the cake.

Jake has played football (also called soccer in America) since the age of 7, playing first for Geelong Rangers, then Cumberland United for all bar one season, most recently playing for the Under 23's reserves. He has represented Noarlunga Districts Junior Soccer Association (NDJSA) for the State Junior Championships (school championships), and the Southern Zone in State Championships (club championships). Additional hilights include being a 3 times cup finalist, winning once with CUFC U17s, scoring in the U19s final and receiving man of the match.

Everyone at Football Focus wishes Jake the very best in pursuit of dreams and happiness with much fun and laughter along the way. We hope to see him playing Major League Soccer like David Beckham or Australia's A League one day soon.

South Zone Success at State Talent Identification Championships

Coaching the South Zone Under 11 Team for the second year in succession Jason was delighted with his team's performance at Para Hills in October 2007.

Finishing Runners Up to the East Zone, the team were satisfied that South Zone were the only team to defeat the East during the U11's competition. Selected f rom an initial 48 players, the final 16 represented six Southern Clubs.

Football Focus - Building our European Football Academy Alliance

We travelled to Europe to some of the best junior football academies in England and  Holland. Thank you to Rob Baan, our very own Technical Director, for his assistance  with our Dutch tour.

Dutch legend Stanley Valckx, Technical Manager at PSV Eindhoven, played with world greats like Romario and Ronaldo. Stan met us at De Herdgang, PSV's impressive training and Academy facilities and explained how Dutch junior football is structured. We toured Philips Stadium and travelled to Rotterdam to Feyenoord's Academy to understand how juniors are groomed and developed until they are ready to try out for the first team. Observing players from 7 –14 year olds training, it was plain to see how tactically aware even the youngest players are, passing into space, holding position with impressive movement off the ball.

High lights from Premier League academies at Aston Villa FC and Bolton Wanderers FC include watching Martin O’Neill training with the first team, a tour of Aston Villa's amazing new facilities at Bodymoor Heath and a visit to Reebok Stadium. Our players talked with Chris Sulley, BWFC Academy Manager, about Adelaide United and Olyroos players, Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite and were most impressed to see Manchester United legend Denis Irwin, watching the Under 14s play at the stadium.

Read the full report on our European tour, details of junior squad training methods, photos of training, stadiums and academy facilities,download report

Football fun for all at the Mix 102.3 Family Festival           

Football Focus proudly supported this years Family Festival.1000's of children played, free of charge, in “The Pitch”, SA's first and only giant inflatable football field.

Children practiced their skills, tried their luck in penalty shoot outs and small sided games. Some Mums and Dads took a well earned break - some decided to join in the fun.

Football Focus's Academy was on show when some of the Elite Squad played a demonstration match.     The Pitch ...Available for HIRE.  more>>