East coast heavyweights Victoria and Queensland strengthen their positions ahead of a make-or-break day three at National Youth Championships for Boys.
The two states collectively dominate championship ladders and will be confident of progressing beyond the group stage.
Preparation, processes and staff are the key factors to Football Queensland’s day two ascendancy according to Football Queensland's Tom Laxton.
“Today reflects the hard work of Football Queensland staff and the planning and preparation we had at last week’s training camp.”
“We've had real concentration and focus on process, things like how we are going to play, organisation and roles and responsibilities. We're really focused on process and principles rather than patterns.”
“We’ve tried to take a one-Queensland approach with our teams and mixing players in and around, so our teams are not in silos, but a blended approach from our academy, Brisbane Roar, Football Queensland metro centres and regional centres as well,” Laxton said.
Attacking styles impress former Subway Socceroo
The opening days provided quality attacking football, a variety of team styles, many goals and exciting individual performances.
Josh Kennedy, Football Australia’s General Manager of Member Federations, and former Socceroo is pleased by what he has seen in Coffs Harbour.
“Every state offers something a little bit different in the way they play. There are teams who hold possession, teams that are more direct, and then you see the little key pieces come to life. So far, the talent, standards and ball control has been good.”
“There have been a lot of goals as well, which is exciting to see from a striker’s point of view. It's good to see goals being scored and obviously that attacking play coming to life,” Kennedy said.
Benefits of better standards and speed
For some players National Youth Championships is a highlight of their junior football journeys, for others it is the next move towards a professional career. Regardless of their individual paths many have commented on the increased standards, speed and intensity of play.
Northern NSW Football player Oslo Harradine views the high-pressured environment as an opportunity to improve.
“I think a lot of the boys have already improved, just moving the ball quicker and ball speed, just getting everything better.”
Teammate Dash Baker hopes to be identified by his performances and progress his career. “I want to go as far as I can, playing professionally, earning money from it, hopefully.”
“I want to go probably overseas. Try to get somewhere overseas and play a pretty high level of football,” Baker said.
Smaller states ready to show what they’re made of
With larger states dominating the group stages there is still plenty to play for at National Youth Championships.
Pedro Stefanidakis, coach of the Northern Territory’s 14s team attributes results to greater access to high intensity football on the east coast.
Stefanidakis said “We don't have the consistency of playing high intensity football like the rest of the states have. As a coach you try and prepare before you arrive and hopefully we can play well against the smaller states. So there is still a lot of opportunity for Northern Territory to show what we are capable of.”
- Full day two results and tables are available HERE
(filter by organisation – Northern NSW Football, competition – National Youth Championships) - Check out the 2022 National Youth Championships for Boys draw HERE
- See the 2022 National Youth Championships for Boys Program HERE
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