Jolic likes what he sees

Shepparton News

Football Federation Victoria skills acquisition specialist and coach educator Ivan Jolic was pleasantly surprised with what he saw from Goulburn Valley Suns’ junior teams at the weekend.

Jolic was in Shepparton to watch the Suns take on a host of FFV state representative sides.

The Suns won two of four games, with the under-12 team beating the under-13 state girls’ team and the under-14s beating the under-13 Skilleroos 2-0.

Jolic said he was hesitant to use results alone as an indicator of the young Suns’ progress, but said there was plenty to be positive about.

‘‘I think it was evident on occasion the mentality of the kids was brilliant,’’ Jolic said.

‘‘They’ve got great energy and application, but I’d still prefer it if they impacted games with their technical ability and developed the technical side of the game.

‘‘Overall, though, it’s good to see the Suns putting out good, competitive teams.’’

Jolic has been outspoken on social media this season about his views on youth development, and has not been shy to criticise National Premier Leagues Victoria clubs for failing to adhere to the national curriculum in their junior sides.

He said he believed some Suns teams had strayed from the curriculum in search of results, but admitted as far as he had seen the Suns were one of the better clubs in trying to adopt the curriculum’s principles.

‘‘I would like to see more confirmation the national curriculum is being taught and the 1-4-3-3 system being used,’’ Jolic said.

‘‘But that’s not just Shepparton. In fact, I was probably pleasantly surprised by the GV Suns.

‘‘I’ve got a passion for youth development and I couldn’t care less about who wins or loses and I think it’s important coaches and parents in general try and take away the results when they start to think about how their kids and teams are progressing.’’

Jolic said he would also like to see a greater appetite from coaches to take on the FFV C Licence — which according to NPLV Rules of Competition will be the minimum licence junior coaches must have.

So far only under-12 co-coach Shaban Mehmet has taken on the course, although a number of Suns coaches have done a senior certificate course with FFV Goulburn North East zone developer Atila Kerestes.