We are excited to be on the eve of our fourth season of summer football and once again implementing a few tweaks to continue to ensure the Victorian Champions League continues to grow from strength to strength, meeting the development objectives of the FFV and more broadly FFA as well as acknowledging and addressing the feedback provided by parents, players, administrators, coaches, referees and other important VCL stakeholders.

Length of Season
It has been delightful to receive considerable feedback to indicate that player development through the VCL season has been significant, with the improvement in player skill level widely noted, from coaches, winter clubs, parents and players themselves.  Such improvement is attributed to the increased exposure of our VCL players to quality team mates and opponents, excellent coaching and the high volume of matches played at this level.  It is for this reason that the VCL season will enjoy an additional two weekends in 2011/12. 

Season Dates and Galas
The season will commence on 15/16 October, 2011 and break for Christmas at the conclusion of weekend fixtures on 17/18 December, 2011.  During this period, all teams will compete in one (1) Gala Weekend, where five teams will travel to regional Victoria and play in a round-robin style fixture.   The season will recommence on 21/22 January, 2012 and be played through until 25/26 February, 2012.  The second period of the season will see all teams compete in a second Gala Weekend in regional Victoria, with this additional Gala replacing the regional trip for the Championship Series as has been in place the previous two seasons.

Championship Series
Following from extensive feedback provided by players, parents, Zone Administrators, coaches and other VCL stakeholders, the ‘Championship Series’ (or finals series) will no longer take place at the conclusion of the VCL’s home and away season.   The premise upon which the VCL concept and competition was built was, and remains, development focussed.  Unfortunately, as the League has grown in stature within the Victorian football calendar, so too has a ‘win at all cost’ mentality become evident among some Zone teams.  For those teams, such an attitude comes at the expense of many development opportunities for players both within their teams and their opponents, as well as the neglect of the prescribed coaching methodology of the National Coaching Curriculum.
The Championship Series will therefore be replaced with a longer season that will provide increased developmental experiences for all players, and those teams which top the League tables will be crowned League Champions.  However, in an effort to ensure that winning at all costs is no longer the focus of teams, a revised ‘points’ system will be adopted in each age group, placing less emphasis on points for wins and draws, and more on technical structure and ability, as well as respect and good behaviour. 

Technical & Respect Points
As outlined above, the 2011/12 VCL Season will see the introduction of Technical and Respect/Good Behaviour Points.  The details of this concept and the points system is still being finalised however will be weighted such that points for wins/draws will have less impact than respect points and further, these will have less impact than technical points.  It is anticipated that this will see a much greater adherence to the National Coaching Curriculum and to a fairer rotation of players through available game time as well as continue to reward and recognise the generally excellent behaviour of the players in our VCL.  The system will reward those coaches and players who work hard to understand and implement the National Coaching Curriculum and its principals, regardless of whether that results in wins on the board.  The system will also reward excellent behaviour, and all VCL stakeholders should note that poor behaviour from players, coaches and spectators will not be tolerated, with point penalties likely to apply.

It is proposed that technical points will be awarded in a ‘mystery shopper’ style, where teams will be unaware they are being observed for that purpose, with points added to the League tables at designated points through the season and likely shifting the position of teams.  Points will be awarded in accordance with a set of criteria and marking matrix designed in consultation with the Head Zone Coaches (not unlike a school report), by coaching personnel appointed by FFV’s technical director.   The criteria will be published and available to coaches, administrators, players and parents prior to the commencement of the season.  Coaches will be appropriately briefed on the type of coaching directives which will see teams earn maximum points.

Respect/Good behaviour points will be awarded by referees, and these points will also be allocated to League tables periodically through the season.  As with the technical points system, a set of criteria and marking matrix, designed by FFV’s Referees and Competitions teams, will be provided to referees to complete and submit.  Referees will be provided appropriate guidance in the awarding of points and criteria will be made available to all stakeholders prior to the season and coaches briefed accordingly.

Under 20 & Under 17 Boys
Overall, the Under 20 Boys category was very popular and largely successful in 2010/11 and it was delightful to provide this age group the opportunity to play their Grand Final on AAMI Park as a curtain raiser to an A-League fixture.  Further, it has been terrific to see a group of select boys representing all Zones from this age group and the Under 17 boys be put through their paces in a program engaging Victoria’s two A-League Clubs in Melbourne Heart and Melbourne Victory.  However, the category served only limited purpose in identification of talent and with the introduction of a National Youth League team for Melbourne Heart in addition to that of Melbourne Victory, there is now adequate further development opportunity for players in this age through these channels.  As such, the Under 20 Boys category will no longer form part of the Victorian Champions League.  The Under 17 Boys will continue, and to address the removal of the Under 20s, a quota of maximum three (3) overage boys will be permitted on the roster of each team in the Under 17s.  These boys should be Under 20 in age, and identified as having considerable potential to continue to progress their football careers in higher level programs, such as the National Youth League.  Other boys categories will remain as previous – Under 13, 14 & 15.

Girls’ Age Categories
As per the late change prior to the 2010/11 VCL season, FFA will once again host National Championships for girls in the Under 13, 14 and 15 age groups.   Extensive consideration was given to changing VCL age groups to fall in line with FFA, however with limited female participation numbers in a high volume of Zones, it was felt that establishing strong teams in both an Under 14 and an Under 15 age group across the State would prove difficult and dilute the benefit of playing with and alongside top quality players.  The age groups for girls will therefore remain the same, however to ensure the top Under 14s in Victoria are accommodated in their Zone teams, a minimum of 6 players eligible for the Under 14 State Team will be required on each Zone’s roster.  This number has been set in place following extensive analysis of player numbers and previous state representation data and will see the best players of that age in the mix for State selection.  The Under 17 girls will remain as previous, with an allowance of up to 6 overage players permitted on the Under 17 roster.

Trial Dates
Please note that trial dates will be set during August for September, and publicised both on the VCL section of the FFV website and the VCL website itself.  Zones will also provide details via their own websites and facebook pages.  Further, an email newsletter regarding the trials will be sent to all eligible players who have accurate details within the MyFootballClub registration system.  To ensure you have up-to-date details and receive trail information via email, please click here to log into MyFootballClub.

VCL Zone Working Committees - interested in lending a hand this season?
Positions remain available on each of the VCL Zone Working Committees for the 2011/12 Season.  The Directors of each of our VCL Zones recently appointed or re-appointed committee members to commence administration work on the coming VCL season, however some Zones require additional assistance.

Anyone wishing to join or a committee must complete a 2011/12 VCL Zone Working Committee Application Form and return it Lachlan Alexander (lalexander@footballfedvic.com.au) for Director approval.  A copy of the form can be accessed by clicking here.
 

Applications NOW Open for 2011-12 – Victorian Champions League Team Coaches

Applications are now open for the Team Coaching roles at each of the 12 Victorian Champions League Zones.

After reading all the below information, please fill out an application form found here.

Exciting opportunities exist to take on a representative team coaching role in one of FFV’s Zone Clubs and help develop Victoria’s young football talent.

Overseeing one of the seven VCL teams within a representative Zone, you will be required to support the coaching directives and objectives of Football Federation Victoria and the League.

The position is anticipated to commence in early September, 2011 and conclude end February, 2012.

Successful candidates will be offered an honorarium of $1,500 to undertake this position.  It is anticipated that the role will require approximately 6 hours per week over the duration of the League.

Applications close on Friday 29th July 2011. 

Applicants should complete the Team Coach Application Form and are requested to nominate the preferred Zone(s) for which they would like to be considered.

Candidates should consult the following documentation in preparing their application and ensure they address all selection criteria:

• Team Coach – Position Description
• Team Coach – Selection Policy and Process
• Team Coach – Selection Criteria

Candidates are welcome to submit their application via post, fax or email and should address their applications to:

Mr Sean Douglas
Technical Director
Football Federation Victoria

Email:  talentedplayer@footballfedvic.com.au
Fax:  03 9474 1899
Enquiries:  03 9474 1800

Applications for other FFV contracted coaching positions will be advertised soon, including State Representative Team Coaches and Player Development Program Coaches.


2011-12 Victorian Champions League - Position Description – Team Coach

Football Federation Victoria, in consultation with administration/committee representatives and Head Zone Coaches from Zone Clubs, will appoint seven Team Coaches to each oversee one Victorian Champions League Zone Team within each Zone for the coming 2011-12 season.

To assist in the recruitment process, the following position description has been developed which details the key roles and responsibilities of a Team Coach.  It is expected that Team Coaches will undertake all tasks in accordance with directions from the Zone and/or Football Federation Victoria and at all times act in accordance with the technical coaching principles provided to the Head Coach by FFV.  These principles will be derived from the National Coaching Curriculum, as prepared by the sport’s national governing body, Football Federation Australia.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the National curriculum and in particular develop players in line with the 1-4-3-3 system of play.

• In consultation with the Head Zone Coach, select, organise and prepare players for their defined Victorian Champions League team within their Zone.

• Create a supportive, engaging and inclusive environment for players and supporters.

• Report on player performances and be involved in State player selection under the guidance of Head Zone Coaches, State Representative Coaches and FFV coaching personnel.

• Attend a minimum of 2 meetings (either in person or via telephone or video link) during which coaches will be provided up-to date information on league issues and expectations as well as educational information on coaching and player selection.

• Engage in regular contact with their Head zone coach. This contact will be initiated by the Head zone coach and the content and frequency of such meetings will be agreed between FFV, the Zone and the Team Coach.

• Fulfil any reasonable request made by the Zone Teams or the Zone Company to attend any marketing, public relations or media opportunities in relation to the Zone Teams during the term of their appointment.



Team Coach – Selection Policy & Process:

In 2011-12 Zones will be responsible for the appointment of Team Coaches for each of the seven Teams within their Zones, in consultation with FFV.

The final decision on selection of Team Coaches is to be a consensus between the Zone, Head zone coach and FFV and it is expected that successful candidate will not only meet FFV’s selection criteria but should complement the philosophy and culture of the Zone.

• Football Federation Victoria will develop the selection criteria and advertisement for the appointment of all Team Coaches.
• These will be the same for each Zone, to ensure a consistent approach to selection.
• Candidates must meet all selection criteria in order to be considered for a Team Coach role.
• Successful applicants will be selected based on a combination of
• Written application
• Coaching experience and qualifications
• Interview performance demonstrating interpersonal skills

FFV and Zones will undertake the follow steps to appoint the Team Coaches:

Step 1:  Advertise positions

• FFV website
• Email coach database
• Email to Zone networks for circulation
• Email to Clubs

Step 2:  FFV and Zone to receive applications from interested parties.  All applications need to be sent to and then reviewed by FFV. 

• All applications need to be sent to FFV to accept who conduct initial review of application for screening purposes
• FFV to develop a shortlist for review by HZC and Zone Administrators

Step 3: Zones, led by Head Zone Coaches will then conduct an individual selection process to determine which candidates would make suitable Team Coaches

Step 4: Zones will present details of proposed Team Coaches to FFV for review and ratification

Step 5:  Offer position to appropriate candidate

Step 6:  Sign contracts with appointed candidates

 
Team Coach Selection Criteria:

Click here to view the selection criteria that will be used to assess applicants interested in the Team Coach positions.  Candidates should address each of the criteria in their application to FFV.