Player Pathways

Football South Australia Talented Player Pathways

Football SA’s Talented Player Pathway is headed by the State’s Technical Department led by Richie Alagich Boys Development lead and Cristiano Dos Santos Girls Development lead. Additionally, lead coaches are appointed at various age levels to assist with one of Australia's most recognised youth development pathway programs.

Football South Australia (FSA), is committed to player development and below you will find details of our program offerings for 2026.

Our programs are designed for players with a motivation and desire to be the best they can be at a sport they love to play. 

A step-by-step guide through the Talented Player Pathway for males and females in SA is outlined in the below documents.

National Youth Team Identification:

Male and female youth teams (Joeys & Young Socceroos and Junior & Young Matildas) National player identification is conducted in partnership with each MF and relevant clubs. Players can be recommended by our technical staff or identified at games arranged in partnership with FA staff visiting SA and/ or at National Youth Championships.    

Adelaide United (Professional Football Clubs):

Adelaide United represent our state from a professional football club perspective. Players are identified from our state and beyond for their youth teams (male U18-U20) and their A league senior teams (male and female). A number of SA players have also trialled and represented other professional teams in this country and beyond. These opportunities are normally arranged through club staff.

Senior NPL/ State Clubs:

NPL is the country’s recognised second tier of football. Each state has a NPL competition underpinned by State leagues and clubs select players to represent them in youth and senior teams both male and female. Clubs will often scout or trial players for selection and many have an EOI on their website.

FSA Full-time Boys and Girls State squads:

FSA delivers full time (min 4x sessions per week, full games program for approx. 44 weeks per year) programs for the following age groups;

• FSA State Boys squads U13, U14 and U16 (all compete in YCC age group up)
• FSA State Girls squads U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18 competing in boys and girl competitions.

Entry into these programs is from identification from the FSA development programs and from club nominations or FSA Technical staff scouting players.

CLUB PLAYER NOMINATION FORM FOR ENTRY TO FULL TIME PROGRAMS TO BE EMAILED TO CLUB DELEGATES MARCH 2026

Clubs will be asked to complete this form March 2026 for first selection intake end of May 2026.

FSA Club participation:

FSA clubs are registered to FSA and FA and compete in a local competition. Teams should provide training and a games program within a positive youth development environment. Competitions are organised in the summer off season and our regular longer season runs between March and September.

Players showing potential at clubs should be nominated to FSA Development programs when clubs are required to do so MARCH 2026.

• Regular Season (March – September):
• Youth Boys: U12-U17 Junior Premier League (JPL) Junior State League (JSL) U12-U17
• Youth Girls: U13, U15, U17 TBC
• Summer Development League (October to December):
• Boys: U10, U12 and U14 TBC
• Girls: U11, U13, U15 TBC
• Juniors Club participation:
• Differentiated Miniroos competitions split geographically U6 – U11 (U10 and U11 FSA conduct grading)

FSA Development programs:

Programs for CLUB BASED players with potential and have the desire to train and learn more often.

Have been nominated to FSA by their club.

• 2026 FSA Development Centres U11-U12: (Boys and Girls)

Zoned Development centres that provide 18 additional training sessions and game experiences for players based at clubs who have been identified as potential talent and have the desire to train and be coached more often. Age groups will range between U11 and U12. The program will run between Term 2 and 3 and there will be gala days in the school holidays.

Entry to 2027 metro centres will be mostly selected from our 2026 FSA Summer SAP program.

Clubs have already been provided this information and have been asked to nominate players. 

FSA will communicate directly with parents about 2026 Summer SAP and 2027 FSA Development centres.

• 2026 FSA Summer SAP U10-U11: (Boys and Girls)

Term4 – Metro program for entry into 2027 FSA Development Centres: training and non-competitive games to develop skills and positive habits of the more motivated and committed junior players. Entry into this program is via club nominations and FSA Technical staff identification.

• Opportunities to represent the State:

Emerging Socceroos/Matildas Championships:

Selection process to represent SA State teams to play in a National championship V all other states. This is known to be the highest level of youth football in our country.

Age groups are U15 and U16 for boys and Girls.

FSA will provide train on opportunities for club players with FT FSA squads and also have the opportunity to be selected for Emerging Championships.

Kuala Lumpa Tournament:

International tournament experience for club-based players to represent SA. Selection for squads is an ongoing process from club nominations in March. Regional players will be provided selection opportunities early and mid-2026.

CLUB PLAYER NOMINATION FORM FOR REPRESENTING THE STATE TO BE EMAILED TO CLUB DELEGATES MARCH 2026

• Goalkeeper Specific Development:

We recognise the importance of specific training and overall development for goalkeepers. We also understand the challenges of providing GK sessions within clubs. Therefore we offer a variety of programs for GK’s with our full time state squads and for club based players.

Here is an overview of the programs we will be offering in 2026:

FSA Development programs:

Programs for CLUB BASED players with potential and have the desire to train and learn more often.

Have been nominated to FSA by their club.

• 2026 FSA Development Centres U11-U12: (Boys and Girls)

Zoned Development centres that provide 18 additional training sessions and game experiences for players based at clubs who have been identified as potential talent and have the desire to train and be coached more often. Age groups will range between U11 and U12. The program will run between Term 2 and 3 and there will be gala days in the school holidays.

Entry to 2027 metro centres will be mostly selected from our 2026 FSA Summer SAP program.

Clubs have already been provided this information and have been asked to nominate players. 

FSA will communicate directly with parents about 2026 Summer SAP and 2027 FSA Development centres.

• 2026 FSA Summer SAP U10-U11: (Boys and Girls)

Term 4 – Metro program for entry into 2027 FSA Development Centres: training and non-competitive games to develop skills and positive habits of the more motivated and committed junior players. Entry into this program is via club nominations and FSA Technical staff identification.

• Goalkeeper Specific Development:

We recognise the importance of specific training and overall development for goalkeepers. We also understand the challenges of providing GK sessions within clubs. Therefore we offer a variety of programs for GK’s with our full time state squads and for club based players.

Here is an overview of the programs we will be offering in 2024:

Other Programs:

• Futsal: Academy development training and State team Nationals. For more information contact the futsal contact below. 
• Regional opportunities: Other than FSA Development centres, regional players will have the opportunity to represent their region at the Regional State Championships. We have development officers in the following regions: Adelaide Hills, Limestone and Eyre Peninsula.
• School programs: Many schools have a ‘football program’ and FSA are working with a number of them to ensure players are getting a connected and holistic development program at school and with their chosen club.
• School holiday programs: FSA Conduct multiple programs during school holidays.
• 5-a-side competitions: Just play! Small sided midweek competitions. 

For more information:

FSA Boys player Development email; technicalboys@footballsa.com.au

FSA Girls player Development email; technicalgirls@footballsa.com.au

FSA Development Centre emails;

Limestone Coast: nathan.koopman@footballsa.com.au

Eyre Peninsula: luke.marinkovich@footballsa.com.au

FSA contact: owen.gallas@footballsa.com.au

FSA Futsal player Development email; futsal@footballsa.com.au

FSA School holiday programs email; jake.brindley@footballsa.com.au

5-a-side competitions; https://footballsa.com.au/football-five5