.gif "Sack Attack: An A-League Webcomic")
Words and images by Craig Stockdale
 |
So what is the essence of our national playing style the NTC is to execute?
Well, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) has publicly released their football philosophy and if you have some spare time, you can sift through the document while having a latte and you may actually learn something, or you can read my article instead.
The plan is very detailed and well thought through available for all to see. The key elements that were relayed in the coaches briefing session were that we are to play a proactive brand of football, based on effective possession with the cutting edge provided by creative individuals.
Defensively, the key components are quick transition and intelligent collective pressing along with the playing style being underpinned by a strong ‘team mentality’, capitalising on Australia’s traditional strengths. At this point in time, all I could see was Lleyton Hewitt gesturing with raised hand to his eyes and yelling "C'MON NTC Girls!" So I sat down and took my seat once again.
Putting aside the many detractors of the program, the NTC is a pathway for young talented aspirants – male and female - to represent their state at the highest level and hopefully gain selection at national level to represent their country on the International arena.
Funded by the FFA and supported by the Football Federation of Victoria (FFV), the program looks to develop, educate, facilitate and incubate some of the best young football talent across genders coming up through the ranks and prepare them for a future career in football.
Of course, it would be advisable for all parents of the female participants to ensure their daughters scholastic endeavours are of paramount importance as the difference in earning capacity playing professional football between the genders is “like chalk and cheese”.
This year the NTC squads across Australia have been capped at 17 years of age and under and they will participate as a development squad competing in the SportsMart Victorian Women’s Premier league and later in the year attending the NTC National Institute Challenge at the AIS in Canberra.
Over the years, many talented young players have cut a path through this program – most notably Melissa Barbieri, Stephanie Catley and Brianna Davey, who have all represented their country as Matilda's on the international stage.
Several Melbourne Victory W-League players like Caitlin Friend, Laura Spiranovic, Alex Natoli, Tiffany Eliadis, Jacky Voigt, Cindy Lay, Enza Barilla and Cassie Dimovski (apologies if I have left anyone out) have all come through the NTC Program and played at the senior women’s level in Australia.
So this year, with a new NTC Women’s coach appointed – Mr Joseph Montemurro and a talented squad of players assembled, it will be a real challenge and opportunity for the coach and his youngsters to front up against the best open women’s football teams in the state.
No formal announcements have been forthcoming about the new NTC Women’s coach, but if his qualifications and communications skills are anything to be judging him on, he should be coaching the Socceroos right now!
A very unassuming man, Pepe (as he likes to be known) has some of the best football coaching qualifications in this country. He currently holds UEFA A and FFA/AFC A licenses and is completing a UEFA Pro Diploma via the Italian Federation.
Yes, you heard me right – a UEFA Pro Diploma in the Italian Federation and pretty much self-funded to boot! This guy is a rarity; he plays football, knows football, teaches football and communicates football to his pupils and even says “buon pomeriggio” to the parents upon arrival at training!
Seriously, Joe is in the final stages of completing his Masters in Sports Coaching via the University of Queensland which broadens his holistic understanding of coaching from psychology to physiology.
When asked to comment on his background, Joe revealed “I always find it very difficult to talk about myself as I would rather talk about the football. Coaching is a work in progress and I find myself constantly learning, picking up new ways and ideas at every session and I am constantly trying to improve and make every session `the session’ not just `a training session’. I am humbled and lucky to be working in a profession that I'm passionate about and believe I can really have a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Many of you reading this right now would be thinking ‘Where have you been the last five years, Mr Montemurro?’ Unfortunately, The NTC Women’s coaching job has been a revolving door in the past and has left indelible impressions (not good) on some of our most talented young female players across the state. It is a breath of fresh air to have a mentor and coach that has the interests of the girls at the forefront of his mind and the skills to communicate with all in sundry.
Asked about his vision for the year ahead, Joe said “The program is not just about what we achieve now but to create a base where a large majority of these players can go and play at the highest level. This may take a couple of years. One of my main structural changes is to create a level above the NTC to underpin the W-League clubs and the national teams. Players at this age develop at different rates and it’s important to prioritize the rate of development so that each player has the appropriate time to reach their maximum capability accordingly. Therefore the program is holistic, embracing functional football activities that develop all the components that we believe produce a world class footballer.”
He went on passionately demonstrating with his Italian hand gestures - “We waste no time on the park on isolated activities, these are monitored as home work. I believe that the girls need to be put in many football situations where they can solve problems in real football scenarios. We play a lot of football and I guide them to when and where to make the right decisions. I hope to develop creative and intelligent players that will solve problems in possession of the ball.”
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. I must admit, I felt three feet taller after my meeting with Mr Joe Montemurro and I know many of the NTC Women’s parents are still shell-shocked by this man’s organization, communication skills and understanding of the game and family life. If he can impart his knowledge to twenty sixteen year old girls and have them play the style of football the national curriculum expects, he will be a deemed a “superman”.
As they said in the film Back to the Future, 'Where we're going, we don't need roads'."
Stocky’s scribbles returns with FFV media pass and camera in toe to cover the exploits of the Victorian NTC Girls U17 squad in 2014. So stay tuned and saddle up for an exciting season ahead.
The Victorian NTC Women’s squad for 2014 comprises of the following twenty girls – Number 1 Jaime Brown (GK); 2 Giulia Sepe (DF); 3 Jaimee Williams (DF); 4 Jade Feakes (DF); 5 Sky Jensen (DF); 6 Adriana Taranto (MF); 7 Emily Harbis (FW); 8 Melissa Taranto (MF); 9 Tamara Balmaceda (MF); 10 Jessica Pitts (MF); 11 Noel Boersma (FW); 12 Alexi Garcia (MF); 13 Anabel Martin (DF); 14 Maddy Stockdale (DF); 15 Georgia Alberti (FW); 16 Sabahat Rexhep (GK); 17 Edith Fordyce-Crocker (MF); 18 Beatrice Goad (FW); 19 Janna Lawson (FW); 20 Lucinda Kolitsis (GK).
