Football Technique School

Football Training Curriculum For Boys & Girls - Melbourne

Football Technique School

Football Technique School

Football Training Curriculum For Boys & Girls - Melbourne

FTS Technical Training Academy

Our program has evolved considerably since its origins in 2005. We are entering our 17th year of youth-specific technical training and the rewards are now showing, with many of our older players now stepping into professional clubs both here in Australia and abroad.

In recent years we have added FTS Development Squads and have established our FTS Futsal Club, both instrumental in ensuring our players receive best practice youth player development.

The link between technical ability and intelligence is vital for player development and is pivotal within our curriculum.

For information on our programs, again visit our up to date Programs page.

Latest News

Term 1 2025 Program Information

Registrations are open for the Term 1 program starting on Monday 27th January 2025.
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Nishan Velupillay (2001) – Debut Goal for the Socceroos

GOAL ON DEBUT FOR SOCCEROOS - In front of 46,000 fans in Adelaide, Nishan subbed on in the 80th minute and scores his first goal ...
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Nishan Velupillay (2001) – Socceroos Selection

SOCCEROOS SELECTION - A special moment for Nishan Velupillay and his family.
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FTS Talented Player Program

Registrations are now open for the FTS Talented Player Program starting on Monday 7th October 2024 (Term 4). This is for players born 2018 - ...
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Sam Banyai (2010) – Debreceni VSC

Update - young goalkeeper Sam Banyai (2010) has signed with Debreceni VSC. Sam is currently playing with DVSC Academy in the U15 National competition.
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George Mihailidis(2006) – FK Austria Wien

Update - young midfielder George Mihailidis (2006) signed with FK Austria Wien earlier this year. George is currently playing in FK Austria Wien II, which ...
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Player Profiles

Nishan Velupillay (2001) – Debut Goal for the Socceroos

GOAL ON DEBUT FOR SOCCEROOS - In front of 46,000 fans in Adelaide, Nishan subbed on in the 80th minute and scores his first goal ...
Read More

Nishan Velupillay (2001) – Socceroos Selection

SOCCEROOS SELECTION - A special moment for Nishan Velupillay and his family.
Read More

Sam Banyai (2010) – Debreceni VSC

Update - young goalkeeper Sam Banyai (2010) has signed with Debreceni VSC. Sam is currently playing with DVSC Academy U15 in the National competition.
Read More

George Mihailidis (2006) – FK Austria Wien

Update - young midfielder George Mihailidis (2006) signed with FK Austria Wien earlier this year. George is currently playing in FK Austria Wien II, which ...
Read More

Jai Curran-Nicholls (2004) – Signs at Salford City FC

Congratulations to Jai Curran-Nicholls (19 years of age) on signing his first Professional Contract with Salford City FC in the UK.
Read More

Mikey Ghossaini (2007) – Golden Boot Award

FTS Player Update - Congratulations to Mikey Ghossaini (2007) for winning the Golden Boot Award this year at Melbourne City FC.
Read More

The FTS45 Home Program is purposely designed to provide players an opportunity to learn, refine and practice key techniques, whilst also developing relevant football speed, agility and balance.

Each activity is outlined, including repetitions, sets and times, with a custom video to accompany that will guide and inspire the player (or parents of the younger players).

The program can be easily adapted to backyards, parks and indoor areas. Each session will take around 45min to complete. You will receive the upcoming weekly program each Sunday.

The FTS45 Home Program requires a commitment from the player, a willingness to learn and a spirit to work hard to develop and improve.

The FTS45 Home Program is purposely designed to provide players an opportunity to learn, refine and practice key techniques, whilst also developing relevant football speed, agility and balance.

Each activity is outlined, including repetitions, sets and times, with a custom video to accompany that will guide and inspire the player (or parents of the younger players).

The program can be easily adapted to backyards, parks and indoor areas. Each session will take around 45min to complete. You will receive the upcoming weekly program each Sunday.

The FTS45 Home Program requires a commitment from the player, a willingness to learn and a spirit to work hard to develop and improve.

Opportunities and experiences are a key part of the youth football journey – at 12 years of age we provide
opportunities for the players that are ready, to travel, train and play in Japan.

Football Technique School

“An individual players technique (or technical ability) is the most important developmental element”

FTS Roll Steps (made in 2013), nice blast from the past, 5-6 years is a long time in football. Since this video was made, 16 of these ‘baby faced’ players from our FTS squads have gone on and represented Australia in Youth National Teams, Overseas or A-League senior youth teams (U20 and above).

Our Philosophy

You often hear stories about certain events or circumstances that change a person’s life, well for myself it was a visit to Clairefontaine (French National Training Centre) in 2006. As well as personal interviews with Aime Jacquet and other French youth technical coaches, I was guided through the age specific developmental training curriculum. The message was very simple – “an individual players technique (or technical ability) is the most important developmental element”.

Gerard Houllier took it one step further when he suggested that if a player at 16 years of age didn’t have a satisfactory technique, there was no way of ever catching up.

In recent years, my research and knowledge of the Dutch and Spanish youth developmental approaches has further helped me to understand the importance of providing a specific environment conducive to advancing a youth footballers technical ability.

The years 0-16 are so important, lots of hard work and patience required, the footballer doesn’t get a 2nd chance to build the foundation. As they enter the years 17-22, they need to be bulletproof as they prepare for senior football.

Michael McBride

Clairefontaine (French National Training Centre)

OUR VISION

The VISION for FTS is as follows:

FTS Trickshot Challenge – The lost “Art of Play” – it’s the innovation, creativity, persistence, skill and passion that we love about these trick shots!!

Here are all the entries – whilst we all know that bouncing a ball off the roof into a garbage bin won’t directly get you a professional contract, however  playing with the ball like this is the essence of the game – its the lost “art of playing” that we need in the backyards and school yards across the country!

Some Background

Michael McBride

Michael is the FTS Program Director, his particular area of expertise involves developing the technical abilities of young footballers. He has the AFC-A Licence, Sports Coaching Degree and Masters in Sport Management. Michael spent 3 years with the Socceroos as an analyst, which included the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He was also Assistant Coach for the U17 National Team (Joeys) and the FV National Training Centre (NTC).

Curriculum & Insights

Our curriculum is unique and based on years and years of genuine research, knowledge and practical implementation.

Parent Guidance

The key objective to youth development is to create an enjoyable and challenging culture that will fast track the young players. Given each individual underpins and drives their own developmental journey, the culture at home is as important as the culture within the FTS Program. We help support families to setup this positive culture at home by sharing knowledge and unique insights along the journey.

FTS Futsal

FTS supports the growth of the Futsal in Victoria.

Futsal is a sport in its own right, with its own pathway.

Playing Futsal is also a great developmental tool for young aspiring footballers, given the speed of the game and the tight spaces involved.

Many of the best footballers in the world grew up playing Futsal and even attribute it as being a key factor to their success e.g. Pele, Messi, Romario & Neymar.

FTS Futsal Club is determined to provide young players a genuine opportunity to further develop their technical skills and game insight in the sport of Futsal.

FUTSAL - CAULFIELD MONASH
FTS Futsal

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