Skills Acquisition Program

SKILL ACQUISITION PHASE (SAP)

9-12 years of age is the golden age of learning technique which Football Federation Australia calls the Skill Acquisition Phase (SAP). 

Inquiries about our SAP Program can be sent via email to - ceo@brisbanestrikers.com.au

The focus at this age is on the development of game-related functional skills. Brisbane Strikers Football Club’s elite player development foundations have been recognised and endorsed with a Gold Rating for its 2021 Skills Acquisition Phase (SAP) program by Football Queensland.

The Gold Rating is the highest level of attainment for SAP programs for club’s in South East Queensland following a detailed review by Football Queensland.

Football Queensland introduced the SAP Rating Regulations for SAP licensed clubs to assist its clubs to achieve best practice skill development for players, protect SAP Licensee clubs’ investment and create a quality assurance process and compliance in line with the SAP License Agreement.

The Gold Rating recognises Brisbane Strikers’ investment in high quality coaches and mentors, infrastructure, training programs, scholarships and player development pathways through its Brisbane Strikers Academy.

Brisbane Strikers’ SAP program provides fundamental skills development for boys aged 9 to 12 years and is the foundation for elevating young footballers into the club’s National Premier Leagues (NPL) junior teams.

Brisbane Strikers Academy is overseen by highly credentialed Technical Director Nacho Ferrer, who holds a UEFA Pro Coaching Licence and previously worked with the world-famous Real Madrid CF Academy and Spanish Football Federations in development roles.

Ferrer welcomed the Gold Rating for the Brisbane Strikers Academy’s SAP program.

“The Gold Rating shows that at Brisbane Strikers we run a high-quality, highly-organised and high-profile program for these age groups,” Ferrer explained.

“Recruiting and developing players to the highest standards in these age groups is essential in providing a best practices player pathway for their future.”

“As a club, we believe a strong SAP program is crucial to progressing players through the NPL age groups in a cohesive and staged way and that will deliver the best development outcomes.”

Brisbane Strikers Chairman, Mr Bruce Atterton-Evans, explained this latest recognition is a continuation of the club’s long-standing player and coach development focus in junior football.

“Brisbane Strikers has long recognised the importance of developing and providing opportunities for young players as the core of its football mission,” he explained.

“As a club we have invested in the fundamental elements such as coaching and player welfare that ensure our youngest players are provided with the essential tools they need to develop into outstanding footballers of the future.”

“The club also works closely with state and national federations to ensure we are following and, in many cases, exceeding the guidelines and best practices the deliver the best outcomes for our players.”

“We are justly proud of the Gold Rating assessment and, as a club, we look forward to continuing excellence, improvement and investment in our Brisbane Strikers Academy programs at all age levels in future,” he concluded.

Brisbane Strikers will field one team in each SAP age group in 2021 – for a total of four teams in SAP competitions in 2021.