// Player Pathways

How do you make a Socceroos/Matildas team?

We’re delighted to say our girls can already aim to play for our latest National League side Canberra United and an A-League side would provide a clear pathway for our junior boys.

Socceroos Carl Valeri (Tuggeranong United  juniors, Canberra) and Josh Kennedy, (Albury Hotspurs) are just two current Socceroos who started their football journey with junior clubs in our region.

“I remember Carl playing at Calwell in these long shorts. It was a really cold morning, and the shorts just looked so big. I could never imagine where he might end up back then,” says Walter Valeri, Carl Valeri’s father and Canberra A-League Ambassador.

And we have many more juniors who could play professionally, locally, in Canberra.

But how do you get from Under 3 Pee Wees to a Canberra A-League side?

From 3-9: It should be fun.

Sign-up for your local junior club in our region:  Albury, Bateman’s Bay, Canberra, Cooma, Cootamundra, Cowra, Goulburn, Dubbo, Queanbeyan, Wagga, Young and other regional towns all provide great football opportunities for our young boys and girls.

Get expert coaching tips from your clubs, holiday clinics and your parents and friends.

From 10-13: The fun continues.

Continue to play with your local club, play futsal and work hard to improve your technique.
Players start to be selected or attend their local Academies and/or development programs to improve their skills.

Early developers may make their local Representative side.

From 14-16: It’s time to focus.

Just ask Canberra born and Croatian International Josip Simunic. “I kicked the ball for seven hours every day around my home in Canberra.”

Joe has played in three World Cups, marking Thierry Henry (France), Christian Vieri (Italy), Ronaldo (Brazil), and of course in that never to be forgotten game against Australia his old friend Socceroo Mark Viduka.

Football is getting more serious for some at this age, particularly for those focused on a career. It’s time to raise the bar, increase the development work, test yourself at Association Representative trials, aim to join a successful development program.  Aim to play in National Championships, national indoor and outdoor tournaments, play against other football cultures when your team or Association travels overseas.

From 17-21: The dream moves closer

It’s time to work towards an A-League Youth team place. But never forget your education. For our juniors there will be many spots available locally in Canberra; in a Canberra A-League Youth team. Importantly boys will be able to remain close to their families thus aiding their physical, emotional and mental development.

Those selected will play against all other A-League Youth sides. They now have an opportunity to be selected in an A-League side at anytime.

From 18-40: The journey continues

Should you miss out on a Youth team spot the journey doesn’t end. Australia has a history of players developing late.

Mile Jedinak, (Central Coast Mariners) and Shannon Cole,  (Sydney FC) played their first A-League games at 22 and 24 respectively after being plucked from New South Wales Premier League sides. Both have been called into the Socceroos recent squads.

You’re now 40...the game goes on.

So you never played professionally. You’re not alone! Football for most of us is a leisure activity. But there’s still time to represent Australia in the World Masters Games, or perhaps, importantly give something back to the next generation in the form of coaching or administration.