Sydney FC’s academy is making waves, continually nurturing talent for both the Isuzu UTE A-League and the national teams. NPL/NYL head coach and senior academy technical lead Jim van Weeren shares insights with aleagues.com.au about the triumphs of the club’s academy programme and beyond.
A glimpse at Australia’s Under-23 team reveals just how effective Sydney FC’s academy structure has become.
This success extends to the club’s roster for the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season.
The Australian U23 squad preparing for this month’s Doha International Cup in Qatar is loaded with A-League talent. Sydney FC is proud to feature two players – Golden Boot contender Adrian Segecic and Corey Hollman – but the Sky Blues’ impact goes further, with five additional academy alumni selected by Tony Vidmar: Kealey Adamson from Macarthur Bulls (two years at Sydney FC), Central Coast Mariners defender Nathan Paull (four years), Western Sydney Wanderers duo Oscar Priestman (seven years) and Aidan Simmons (seven years), along with Newcastle Jets talent Clayton Taylor (seven years).
Moreover, Ufuk Talay’s first-team squad has many academy graduates in its ranks.
Segecic, Hollman, Jaiden Kucharski, and Wataru Kamijo are just a few of the many players who have transitioned from Sydney’s youth program, joined by Aaron Gurd, Tiago Quintal, Marin France, Will Kennedy, Gus Hoefsloot, Lachie Middleton, Zac De Jesus, Joseph Lacey, Tyler Williams, and Nickolas Alfaro, all of whom have experienced senior football during the 2024-25 season – whether in the A-Leagues, the Australia Cup, or the AFC Champions League Two.
What has driven Sydney’s success in evolving players from the academy to senior football, whether for the Sky Blues or other clubs?
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“A vital aspect is scouting and recruitment; we focus on identifying players with the highest potential,” said Jim van Weeren, NPL/NYL head coach and senior academy technical lead, in conversation with aleagues.com.au.
“Fostering that long-term potential is key, as it helps elevate players through the pathway. As students approach the end of their academy journey, the right blend between player and club can ensure they reach the peak of their abilities,” Van Weeren explained.
“In the academy, we uphold a clear set of values and a philosophy aimed at developing individual players, which sometimes means that coaches may endure losses along the way.”
“No coach wishes to lose – we strive for victory in every match. However, there are moments, as seen with Wataru last year when he returned from an injury layoff and rejoined the NPL team. He faced challenges initially, as the NPL environment is fiercely competitive. Yet, our club stands firm in supporting players during tough phases, believing that sustained training and match exposure will help them achieve their potential.”
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“Wataru’s journey has been inspiring, and he’s among several success stories. Continuing player development is vital, particularly in the NPL realm, as we frequently contend with teams that prioritise winning.”
“Our focus is on balancing the dual objectives of securing wins while not losing sight of our primary mandate, which is to produce individual players for the senior team and junior national squads.”
Kamijo’s progress has been noteworthy yet anticipated by Van Weeren and his coaching staff.
Recently, the 18-year-old midfielder made his debut in Sydney’s historic ACL Two quarter-final first leg against Korean giants Jeonbuk Motors.
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“We’re thrilled for him, but it’s not a shock because we recognised his potential in the NPL,” he said. “His skill set indicated that he was already exceeding this level – it was simply a matter of when he would be given the opportunity. After accumulating match experience and fitness, it’s not surprising that he could not only adapt but excel.”
The accomplishments of Sydney FC’s academy are clear, with figures backing up the assertion. Since launching over nine years ago, no fewer than 61 academy players have signed professional contracts, either with Sydney FC or elsewhere.
The vision driving Sydney’s academy, crafted by board member Han Berger and Youth Technical Director Kelly Cross, aims to provide the best environment for academy players to pursue their dreams.
Both Sydney FC and their competitors are reaping these rewards.
“It’s essential to acknowledge the entire system, especially when players have been part of the journey since U13s, progressing through the ranks until they reach my level,” said Van Weeren, who has coached 14 academy graduates in Sydney’s first team this season.
“I need to clarify that I haven’t achieved anything extraordinary. Rather, our entire staff has facilitated players’ progression through the system, helping them become true homegrown talents.”
“When you consider the dedication shown by these players over the years, the staff takes immense pride. These individuals haven’t just joined for a moment; they’ve invested significant time, navigating through various challenges before finding a place in the first team.”
“My role at the end of the academy journey is gratifying on a different level because it’s often the case that when newcomers enter the NPL, they struggle. It’s the first time they face older, experienced players, many of whom have played in the A-League.”
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“Facing fully developed and strong opponents, young U17 or U18 players often find themselves learning in the deep end against men. It’s rewarding to witness their transition as they confront these challenges and, eventually, the struggle gives way to growth, with some players emerging as elite competitors in that space.”
Sydney’s academy remains focused on continuous improvement and recently had the opportunity to measure itself against one of Japan’s leading clubs.
Last week, the Kashima Antlers visited for a series of youth friendly matches against Sydney FC and their local rivals, Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sydney hosted Kashima, sharing a pair of fixtures: while the U16-18s suffered a 4-1 defeat, the U17-20s claimed a 2-1 victory.
“One of the key observations was the technical abilities demonstrated by their players across the board,” Van Weeren commented. “The discrepancies between the top-tier players and those still developing were minimal.”
“Conversing with their coaching staff revealed the extensive training volume their players experience throughout development — it’s clear why they showcase such capabilities at 18 and 19, given the extensive training and match exposure.”
“Comparatively, Australia has limitations around training volume, yet at the same age group level, we remain competitive, despite these constraints.”
“While it was a great learning experience against Kashima, it also highlighted the competitiveness of our players at this age against one of the elite academies in Japan.”
Van Weeren continued: “It was evident that they appreciated the challenge. In facing our U19 team, their elite players found themselves in a tough match.”
“Statistics from the game suggested we had 60% possession with an equal amount of attempts on goal. We converted two chances, whereas they managed just one. In the grand scheme of things, this reflects positively on our players from Sydney FC who faced such formidable opponents.”
It was a valuable opportunity for Sydney’s youth to challenge some of Japan’s finest, as the Sky Blues aim to nurture future stars.
According to Van Weeren, there’s a “substantial number” of promising youngsters waiting in the wings.
“Every year, we’re evolving and enhancing our academy,” he remarked. “Our current crop of players shows great promise, presenting a delightful problem: we ideally want to see them all thrive in our first team, but there are limited positions available.”
“As an academy, it is our duty to maximise each player’s potential.
“The benefits are visible in our first team, as well as in the current U23 national team, which features numerous players who have spent a significant amount of time within our academy.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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