MORE than 300 of the region’s most promising young footballers converged on the Coffs Coast Synthetics on Sunday 31 May for a massive Skill Acquisition Phase (SAP) Gala Day.
A total of 26 teams from across Northern NSW, stretching from Newcastle to Coffs Harbour, took part in the event, with players aged from under-10s to under-12s showcasing their talents in a full day of competition.
The football festival kicked off at 9am and continued through until 5pm, providing young players with the opportunity to test themselves against some of the strongest SAP programs in the state.
North Coast Football’s Talent Development Manager Nico Bonarrigo provided insights into the program.
“The SAP program is a nationwide initiative designed to accelerate the technical development of identified players during the critical ages of nine to 12,” he said
Widely recognised as the ideal stage for developing both fine and gross motor skills in a football environment, the program focuses on building a strong technical foundation through structured training and high-quality competition.
“Players are selected through trials conducted each October before undertaking a training program that runs from February through to September.
“Throughout the season, SAP squads compete in a series of gala days across Northern NSW, allowing young footballers to measure their progress against other leading development programs from around the region,” Bonarrigo said.
By David WIGLEY
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