Ryan Doidge is confident Northern NSW Football players are well prepared to use the opportunity to play in the National Youth Championships to showcase their talents and use it as a crucial step in their development.
Players from across the country are preparing to travel to Wollongong where the 2024 National Youth Championships for Boys will kick off on Tuesday.
Doidge, Northern NSW Football’s Technical Director will be in attendance at the boys tournament, overseeing some of the region’s most talented players. His role throughout the tournament will also include providing support to NNSWF coaches and providing professional development opportunities to all players and coaches.
“Nationals provides opportunities for players to showcase their talents amongst other identified players from all across Australia,” Doidge said.
“NNSWF have worked hard over the last 12 months to improve our talent identification. We have confidence that this process has helped us to give as many players as possible across the region the chance to be selected in our squads.
"Brett Angell has joined our team as the Talent Development Officer and has strengthened our relationship with the member zones, zone technical leads, premier clubs and the Newcastle Jets.
“Our processes have allowed us to select two strong teams that we are confident will represent the talent of the whole northern NSW footprint.
“For a second year in a row, our teams are made up of players from six of our member zones from the North Coast right down to the Hunter."
The Football Australia National Youth Championships for Boys will be played across Wollongong at WIN Stadium, JJ Kelly Park and Ian McLennan Park, from Tuesday 16 July to Sunday 21 July.
All member federations will be represented at the tournament, with NNSWF entering under-15s and 16s boys teams.
“The National Youth Championships provides the unique opportunity for our players in an environment against some of the nation's best players,” Doidge said.
“This tournament will serve as a national identification tool for our national team set up and we hope we can support our player’s aspirations of representing Australia in the future. I hope that we will give the national team staff something to think about.
“The National Youth Championships are the pinnacle of our Talented Player Pathway. I look forward to our players bringing their development to fruition and playing with passion in a high-intensity arena. I hope they all return from the tournament having given everything they can across the week.
“I hope that our players feel proud and confident to represent their area and showcase the talent pool the footprint holds.
“I wish the very best of luck to all of our players and coaches for the upcoming championships. I look forward to watching them showcase the amazing talent from across the northern NSW area."
Follow all of the action on NNSWF socials.
