Vision & Purpose

The 12th Player Academy is primarily a technical training program focussing on developing game intelligence for the transitional sub-junior age groups. Focussed on 8-12 year olds, the 12th Player will focus on all the skills required to prepare the players for entry into NPL.

From time to time the academy will enter tournaments or arrange friendly matches against other clubs/academies but these are not the focus of the academy due to the complexity of the players and their club commitments. 

At the academy, our philosophy is built around creating a culture where the kids have fun while developing towards equitable results. This is not a traditional training session that is delivered at a club.

Academy Structure

Tiered Age Groups

The 12th Player primarily focus on developing sub juniors in the 8-12 year age groups. The academy are looking to work with kids that are generally serious about their football and are looking to be seriously competitive or in the Elite category.

Players without experience or novice are not suited as they would not have the ability to participate in the training drills with the skilled players. It is important the level of the groups are consistent in order to execute complex game intelligence drills.

Each term the Academy confirms the "Elite" players and the "Development" players for the upcoming term.  Every player must work hard during the term to be selected for the 'Elite' program and will be selected from either the development or Elite squad each term. The player will be confirmed for the necessary squad 2 weeks prior to starting the new term.

If a player joins during the season they will automatically join the Development squad (providing that age group has a development squad).  They will have the chance to move to the Elite in the following term if their performance meets the standard of the Elite squad. 

What is an Elite Player?

The Elite tier is for players that generally play in the Kangaroo level in the Mini Roos or possess strong attention to detail on the ball.

Any Elite player that continues to fall below the required level could be moved to the development group. A minimum of 2  discussions will be held with the head coach and the parent if the player continues to fall below the required standard. The player may be moved to the development squad in order to help the player develop and gain the necessary skills to perform at the Elite level.

What is a Development Player?

The Development tier is for players that aspire to lift their performance to Elite status but there is currently a gap between their ability and the Elite level.

A player that performs strongly throughout the term may be selected to train with the Elite group from time to time without prior discussion with the parent or player. It is the discretion of the academy to move the player based on performance.

Player Referrals & Invitations

No parents or players can bring another player to a training session. All sessions are strictly for 12th Player Academy players only. All potential players must go onto the website and register. www.the12thplayer.com.au/register

Off Season Activity

Futsal

The 12th Player offers a Futsal program in the offseason operating under "Dandenong Sharks Futsal Club".

For players interested in this program please refer to the annual Futsal program release in Term 3 each year. The program is additional and attracts different fees and runs in Term 4 (FFV league) and Term 1.

www.the12thplayer.com.au/futsal

Communication

Team App (the12thplayeracademy.sportsplus.app)

12th Player uses the above team app for all Player communication, training schedules, and game/tournament schedules.

An annual fee per player is required once per year of $10 to cover the running costs of the infrastructure and service costs.

The fee will be included when the player first signs up and in Term 1 of every year. The 12th Player pays a subscription for each player/family and is the only way the academy communicates with the parents.

Session Cancellation

From time to time (due mainly to extreme conditions or poor weather), a training session may be canceled in order to protect the players' health and wellbeing. The canceled session will be rescheduled to a new date as soon as possible.

The 12th player can suspend the player fees if the player is seriously injured and out of play for a prolonged period of time. The parent must contact the Head Coach as soon as possible to ensure there is a clear understanding of the timeline.

The unused sessions will be credited towards the next terms fees.

Player Availability

All parents are required to update the players' availability on the TeamSnap app 24 hours prior to training commencing. All sessions are planned prior and exact numbers are required for the drills that are planned. Failure to update the availability could result in the player not being able to train. 

Player Behaviour

If the attitude and behaviour of the player are deemed unacceptable then the Coach will follow the following process:

1. 1. Warn the player of the issue (one verbal warning)

2. 2. The player sits out for 2-5min (repeat offense)

3. 3. The player sits out from the remainder of the session - No refund is provided by the academy in this situation. 

After the session, the Coach will provide details to the parent about the behaviour and the Academy expects that this is enforced to the player before future training sessions. Disruption cannot be accepted in a high performing environment as then all the players are affected by the quality of training and distraction to the Coach. At the Academy, we hope that you share the same respect we do for the game and players and take the necessary action if required. 

Parent Participation

Parents are required to stay off the pitch at all times. Parents must be away from the training venue and not in sight of the players at any time. Players are distracted by their parents and in order to get their full concentration, we ask that parents stay well clear of the training area while training is being conducted.  Parents coaching from the sideline is not tolerated and disrupts the session for all players. The parents are asked not to arrange any meetings before or after training with the Coaches. The coaches have to prepare the session/pitches and often have another training session following which needs to run on schedule. If you need to discuss anything then please call the Head Coach to arrange a time for a meeting. 

Training Locations

The locations for training varies throughout the term dependant on the team, age group, and time of the year. Please always refer to the TeamSnap schedule for all venue details. If a normal training venue cannot be used due to unusable conditions or closure by the operators then an alternative facility will be notified in advance. There will be no extra costs for a change in venue. 

Tournaments & Games

Tournaments are not the priority of the Academy and we respect the obligations the players have to their local clubs. The Academy will enter tournaments with as much notice as possible and advised the team by scheduling the games in TeamSnap. Often final fixtures are not released until the week of the tournament so do not contact the Academy for details of the tournament. All details will be posted as soon as they are available. If the player is selected to play in a tournament then all fees associated with the tournament will be covered by the Players equally. The tournament fees must be paid 2 weeks prior to tournament date or the player will not play and will be replaced. The player can choose not to play the tournament and another player will be selected in replacement.

Game Time

Coaches will aim to share game time equally. This is not always possible due to the number of subs for certain positions, injuries, player fitness, and behaviour. 

Team Kits

A team kit is provided when the player joins the Academy as part of the registration and at the beginning of every year. A Kit fee will be communicated to the parents prior to the commencement of each year.The Team kit is required to be worn at every training session and every game and tournament that the team participates in. The kit can be ordered directly with the academy's official merchandise supplier. See www.the12thplayer.com.au/merchandise 

Term Fees

The Term fees are communicated on the Academy official website www.the12thplayer.com.au/fees. The Academy reserves the right to change the pricing for a term 60 days prior to Term commencement.

All Term fees are required to be paid in full prior 2 Weeks prior to the first session commencing for the term. Failure to pay will result in the player not being able to participate in the session. If the parent from an Elite tier has not paid the outstanding fees prior to term commencement then the player will forfeit their position in the Elite squad and it will be offered to another player.  The player will then have to participate in the Development tier for the remainder of the term. 

Grievances

If the player or parent has any issue related to the 12th Player Academy then the parent needs to contact Migs via email (luis@the12thplayer.com.au) or via the Direct Messaging on TeamSnap with an outline of the issue and to arrange a time to discuss the issue in person. All matters are taken seriously and the 12th Player wants to ensure there is transparency in the coaching process and how issues are handled within the academy. 

Soccer Club Participation

The academy respects that the player has obligations to compete for the club they are a member of. If there are any conflicts of schedules please notify the Coach in advance to see if there can be any solutions to schedule conflicts. The Academy cannot guarantee any changes to schedules or participation at events.The 12th Player Academy has an affiliation with the Dandenong City Soccer Club  which is an NPL club ensuring the program at the 12th player is specifically suited to the highest level junior football in Victoria.