ACADEMY

cashmere Technical FC ACADEMY

Elevating Talent: Developing the Future of Football Excellence

Welcome to the Cashmere Technical Academy where we have created a Talent Development Program that provides players with a pathway to accelerate their development through their teenage years. 

2025 sees that start of our newly created Pre-Academy Programme that focuses on improving players core skills required to play football within a supportive and engaging learning environment

with an aim to truly push our players on to another level and create the stars of the future!

At the end of the 2023 season, we introduced a three-week selection process, consisting of four open-invite and two invite-only sessions for players to attend and be assessed by the club’s coaching staff. We believe this approach provides players with the best opportunity to showcase their ability, while allowing our coaches to gain a clear understanding of each player’s strengths.

Only players interested in achieving a spot in the 14th, 15th or 17th grade Academy team for the 2026 season must attend the below listed selection dates.

If your player wants to achieve a place in one of our Development or community teams, they must attend Team Selection sessions in February 2026. Information on Team Selection dates will be added to the website in December 2025.

All Academy Team Selection days will be held at Garrick Park and to trial your player must be registered via the relevant Google Form listed below.

14^th Grade Academy (2012 born players)

Tuesday 4^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Wednesday 5^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Tuesday 11^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Wednesday 12^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Tuesday 18^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm – Invite Only

Wednesday 19th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm – Invite Only

Register here: https://forms.gle/v4ERGSSe3zkStmkZ6

15^th Grade Academy (2011 born players)

Wednesday 5^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Thursday 6^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Wednesday 12^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Thursday 13^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Wednesday 19^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm – Invite Only

Thursday 20^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm – Invite Only

Register here: https://forms.gle/EZ3yELkiUBgXuCBC7

17^th Grade Academy (2009 & 2010 born players)

Tuesday 4^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Thursday 6^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Tuesday 11^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Thursday 13^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Tuesday 18^th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm – Invite Only

Thursday 20th November – 4:15pm to 5:30pm – Invite Only

Register here: https://forms.gle/g8smfvFmHtWcmwFK8

We intend to announce the teams and coaching staff for the 2026 season by Friday, 5 December. This will give players the chance to relax over Christmas before turning their focus to the upcoming season. The Academy season is scheduled to begin in February 2026.

For questions regarding Academy Team Selections, please contact the Director of Football Garbhan for more information on garbhanc@ctf.co.nz

CTFC has a thorough selection process that draws on all available data, including feedback from previous coaches, observations made throughout the season by football staff, and information from our player database, which tracks long-term development.

This approach allows us to evaluate each player across multiple seasons rather than on a single performance. Selection decisions are based on several factors and involve input from multiple coaches to ensure a fair and balanced process:

1.     Player Database – Coaches keep detailed records of each player’s development, performance, and progress throughout the season. At the end of each year, this information is shared with the Club’s technical staff to build a long-term overview of each player’s growth.

2.     Season & Programme Observations – Players are regularly observed by different coaches and technical staff during trainings, games, Skill Centre/Club programmes, and tournaments. These observations help create a complete picture of each player’s football development across the season.

3.     Coach Collaboration – Several qualified coaches are present at selection sessions. Each coach independently scores players on key aspects of performance, and these scores are combined to form a detailed view of current ability. Final selections are made collectively, ensuring a balanced process and reducing bias.

By combining observations, data, and feedback from multiple coaches over time, we aim to make well-informed and fair selection decisions that support each player’s development journey.

What Coaches Are Looking For

Our coaches value both football ability and attitude. Specifically, they assess:

• Technical Skills – Ball control, passing, receiving, dribbling, finishing.
• Tactical Awareness – Decision-making, positioning, adaptability, understanding of the game.
• Physical Attributes – Speed, agility, endurance, and ability to compete effectively.
• Coachability – Willingness to listen, learn, and apply feedback.
• Attitude & Commitment – Work ethic, teamwork, resilience, respect for others.

Our Goal

We want every player to have the opportunity to reach their potential in an environment that is fair, supportive, and challenging. Selection is not just about today’s ability - but about a player’s long-term development pathway.

Goalkeeper Academy at Cashmere Technical FC

Guard the Goal: Master the Art of Goalkeeping

Our Goalkeeper Academy, led by our expert Goalkeeper Development Officer Danny Knight, provides specialised training tailored for junior and youth goalkeepers. With a background in New Zealand’s National League and as the first South Island coach to receive the OFC/NZF Goalkeeping C-License, Danny brings elite experience and a modern approach to goalkeeper training.

Advanced Coaching:

Focus on technical and tactical skills required for the modern goalkeeper, aligned with Cashmere Tech FC’s playing style.

Inclusive & Safe Environment:

Open to both male and female goalkeepers, whether affiliated with CTFC or not.

Session Structure:

Tailored training to develop each keeper’s potential in a fun, safe, and proactive setting.

2025 term 1 schedule for goalkeepers