Football Mid North Coast (FMNC) is proud to announce the expansion of its highly successful Youth Development Academy (YDA) for the 2026 season.
The 2025 season delivered outstanding outcomes, with participants showing significant technical and personal growth.
The Academy has continued to strengthen its reputation as a vital part of the player pathway in our region, fostering a culture of development, respect and teamwork.
Value for Community Clubs and Players
The Youth Development Academy gives young players the opportunity to develop their skills under qualified coaching, while still proudly representing their grassroots clubs.
The YDA delivers a structured, supportive environment that complements the participants club training and game experiences.
This model ensures that players return to their local clubs with improved confidence, technical ability and a deeper understanding of the game creating a ripple effect that lifts the standard of football across our community.
“At FMNC, we’ve listened to our community and responded by creating new development opportunities for our young players. The Youth Development Academy isn’t just about growing talent It’s about strengthening our clubs, building confident individuals and providing a pathway that supports every stage of a player’s journey.”
— Phil Andrews, General Manager, Football Mid North Coast
2026 Expansion Announcement
In response to increasing demand and positive feedback, FMNC is excited to confirm the following program expansions for the 2026 Youth Development Academy:
- Introduction of a Boys Under 13 and Girls Under 14 squad.
- Introduction of additional Under 12 squads in the Hastings Hub.
- Stand alone hubs in the Manning & Lakes areas.
About the U13 Boys & U14 Girls Training Squads
These squads have been designed as a development opportunity for players looking to take the next step in their football journey while remaining connected to their clubs.
Key program details:
- 1 training session per fortnight
- Matches against local community clubs and Mid Coast FC
- Entry into the Northern NSW Football State Community Championships (2026)
- Training will take place at the Hastings Hub location (Rainbow Beach Playing Fields)
- Boys: Wednesday nights, 6:00–7:30pm (1st & 3rd week of the month)
- Girls: Monday nights, 6:00–7:30pm (1st & 3rd week of the month)
This new model provides a flexible but high-quality development pathway, focused on technical improvement, tactical understanding and competitive match experiences.
Expressions of Interest for the 2026 season start today with trails in September, with further information to be released via FMNC channels.
Register as a player here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FootballMidNorthCoast/YouthDevelopmentAcademyTrialsEOI
Register as a coach here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/FootballMidNorthCoast/YouthDevelopmentAcademyCoachesEOI
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