Cradle Coast Skill Acquisition Program – 2015
In late 2013, Football Federation Tasmania (FFT) awarded nine Skill Acquisition Phase (SAP) licences
to clubs in Tasmania & the Devonport Strikers were pleased to have been announced as the only
licensee on the North-West coast. The program was expanded in late 2014, with the
commencement of the Cradle Coast Satellite Program. The program is a national initiative, rolled out
by Football Federation Australia across the country, with Tasmania the third state to implement the
program. These SAP Programs will be a major part of the talent identification process for young
players & will play a key role in accelerating the skill development of identified talented players at
the critical ages of 9 to 13. Following the relicensing process at the end of 2014, FFT have awarded
us the SAP Licence for the next two years.
Program Cycles
In 2015, each Cycle of the Cradle Coast SAP will be nine weeks (4 weeks training, one week off, 4
weeks training). At the conclusion of each cycle, a SAP Festival will be held to assess the
development of both SAP players & coaches.
Age Groups Eligible
The Cradle Coast SAP program is open to any registered players in the following age groups.
Girls
Boys
Birth Year
2006
2006
Birth Year
2005
2005
Birth Year
2004
2004
Birth Year
2003
2003
Birth Year
2002
Ineligible
Players from any area along the coast are encouraged to join either the Cradle Coast program or the
Devonport Program & become part of the Talented Player Pathway, without any obligation to play
for a particular club in the future. This program isn’t about tying kids to a club, it’s all about their
development as players & ensuring that their technique improves to a level where they can
hopefully progress further in the sport.
SAP Training Day’s, Times & Location
All training sessions for Cradle Coast SAP will be held at the Montello grounds in Burnie, on Monday
& Wednesday afternoons. Training times are from 5pm till 6pm. Once final enrolee numbers are
confirmed, if required, a second session each night may be added to ensure the coach to player ratio
is adequate for appropriate learning.
SAP Festivals
At the conclusion of each of the four training cycles, a SAP Festival will be held in which all nine SAP
Programs, as well as our Cradle Coast Program, will participate. The dates for these festivals are as
follows: SAP 1 – April 18/19 in Devonport, SAP 2 – July 4/5 in Hobart, SAP 3 – September 19/20 in
Launceston & SAP 4 – December 12/13 in Kingston. Travel to & from tournaments is the
responsibility of the individual players/parents. A squad will be picked for each age group prior to
each of the four festivals.
SAP Program Fees
The cost to be involved in the Cradle Coast SAP Program is $100 per cycle.
Discipline & Professionalism
It is important to note, if players are looking for a session to muck around for an hour, this isn’t for
them. This needs to be treated as a learning opportunity for the players & one where their level of
improvement will be largely dependent on their attitude towards training, the coaches & their fellow
players.
SAP Program Coordinator
The Cradle Coast SAP Program will be coordinated by FFA qualified coach Bobby Eaves, under the
direction of Devonport Strikers Technical Director, Chris McKenna. Assisting Bobby, will be FFT FPO
Darren Purton & Victory League player Beau Blizzard. Other coaches will come on board depending
on enrolee numbers, ensuring that the players can learn from players & coaches that have been
involved at the top levels of football in Tasmania.
Enrolment forms
Enrolment forms are available on the Devonport Strikers website under the ‘SAP Program – Cradle
Coast’ tab.
www.devonportstrikers.com.au