Cambridge FC has experienced significant growth in junior football numbers over recent years. This year the club has over 1,000 registered players, with more than 800 juniors and youth playing football in red and white. 

Commitment to Junior Development

Director of Football Ricki Herbert attributes this growth to the club’s vision and strategy developed over the last 5 years, positioning Cambridge FC as a destination club in Waikato. The club has committed to providing challenging and competitive opportunities for their Junior and Youth players, exposing players to high-quality coaching and top-tier competition.

In partnership with Herbert’s RH3 Academy, Cambridge FC offers year-round junior development programmes focused on skills acquisition. These programmes complement the learning players receive in their team environments. The club’s philosophy aims to expose as many children as possible to high-quality coaching and playing environments, ensuring they have opportunities to reach their potential.

In the winter season, community teams are formed and play in both inhouse and Waikato competitions. Through to Grade 11, teams are coached and managed by volunteers - usually parents. Support is given to volunteer coaches through initiatives like coach training sessions. 

Providing a development pathway

The development pathway begins at Grade 12 for those players who are wanting more intensive training and who aspire to play senior football in the future. Delivered in collaboration with RH3, the programme includes strength and conditioning, sports science testing, and goalkeeping sessions, running from Term 1 through Term 4. Depending on age, players train 2-4 times a week.

Currently, the club fields three mixed 12th Grade teams (playing in Waikato Competitions) and two mixed 13th Grade teams (Playing WaiBOP Federation 13) in the development pathway. Herbert emphasises that these teams are balanced, and the club is focued on ensuring all players have equal development opportunities. 

Talent Development Programme (TDP)

With Cambridge FC gaining accreditation as a Talent Development Programme (TDP) Club last year for their mixed/boys programme, the Grade 14, 15 and 17 teams all compete in the NRFL Youth competition. 

The club are working towards the TDP accreditation for the female teams in the near future.

Club secretary, Matt Malligan has been instrumental in the process of getting TDP accreditation for the club, with a focus on ensuring all of the paperwork and adminisitrative tasks were completed correctly.

The New Zealand Football Talent Development Programme (TDP) provides a structured approach to developing high-potential youth footballers aged 13-17. Its objectives are to enhance player quality through increased training sessions, provide clear guidelines for aspiring footballers, and create development pathways. The programme focuses on player development rather than results.

Collaboration with Cambridge High School

Cambridge FC works closely with Cambridge High School to ensure smooth transitions between school and club football. This collaboration is in place to help balance school commitments and club development. The intention is to manage player load while maximising playing and training opportunities, and minimise injury risks.  

Chatham Cup game featuring five U-18 players

Pathways for Players

The focus on development from a young age is paying off. 

In a recent Chatham Cup match, the first team featured five players under 18, including Oscar Gifford, who debuted for the First Team at 15. 

Cambridge FC collaborates with other clubs to ensure player pathways beyond Cambridge FC for high potential players. One example is Luke Brooke-Smith, who joined Cambridge FC age 12, debuted in the First team at 15, and has spent the last year playing for Hamilton Wanderers FC’s NRF National league squad.

He has just returned from competing in Tahiti with the title winning NZ under-16 squad for the OFC Championship, and has signed his first professional contract with Wellington Phoenix. 

Article added: Wednesday 14 August 2024