SAP GALA DAY – HUME CITY SATURDAY 13^TH SEPTEMBER 2016

On Saturday 13^th September 71 young talented players travelled from Gippsland to Hume City to take part in Football Federation Victoria’s third and final Skills Acquisition Program Gala Day for 2015. 

With over 400 players involved in the SAP from Victorian NPL Clubs and Regional Associations, the day was a great opportunity for Gippsland players to challenge themselves against some of the best young talent in the State.

In 2015 the program ran over eighteen weeks and with a total of 36 sessions delivered over the period. The SAP is the first stage of Football Federation Australia’s National Curriculum for Talented Player Identification and focuses the Four Core functional game skills - striking the ball, first touch, 1 v 1 and running with the ball.

Gippsland SAP is made up of three divisions, (East, South and Central Gippsland) and currently has 10 Coaches delivering the program. The final Gala Day saw 7 teams represent the region, one of which was a combined team made up of players from across the three divisions. It was also the first time Gippsland was represented with two girls only teams from the Central & South divisions.  

Teams involved in the program played up to four games against other SAP groups in their age category. The format followed Small Sided Football of 6v6 (quarter pitch) and 8v8 (half pitch) allowing players more opportunity on the ball and the ability to refine their technique and decision making. Though no results are recorded all Gippsland teams performed exceptionally well over the days duration.