CTFF ACADEMY
Talent development pathway
TALENT DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY 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!
academy trials 2026
Players wanting to trial for any of the below listed teams/competitions do not need to attend the November trials. Instead, they should attend the relevant trial sessions during our annual Team Selections in February.
- Division 1 or below (Academy teams play in Canterbury Development Leagues)
- 13 Academy
- Development teams
- Pre-Academy teams
The following information and trial dates apply to all male and female players in the grades listed below, who are interested in trialling for a Mixed* CTFC Academy team for the 2027 winter football season.
- 14th Grade – players born in 2014
- 15th Grade – players born in 2013
- 17th Grade – players born in 2011 & 2012
*Our Girls Academy team trial sessions will take place in February 2027. Female players can trial for and be selected both Mixed Academy teams and Girls Academy teams.
Key Information
- All players from all Clubs are welcome to trial - players do not have to have played for CTFC previously to attend
- All Academy Team Selection days will be held at Garrick Park.
- No trials will take place the week of 18th November due to FIFA using Garrick Park.
- All trialling players - including current and returning Academy players - must register their intent to trial using via the links below.
14th Grade Academy Trials (2013 born players)
All sessions begin promptly at 4.15pm and finish at 5.30pm.
- Tuesday 3rd November - Open trials
- Wednesday 4th November - Open trials
- Tuesday 10th November - Open trials
- Wednesday 11th November - Open trials
- Tuesday 24th November – Invite only
- Wednesday 25th November - Invite only
Register your player for 14th Grade trials here: https://forms.gle/vTNa5uzGUXy8zCp49
15th Grade Academy Trials (2012 born players)
All sessions begin promptly at 4.15pm and finish at 5.30pm.
- Wednesday 4th November – Open trials
- Thursday 5th November – Open trials
- Wednesday 11th November – Open trials
- Thursday 12th November – Open trials
- Wednesday 25th November - Invite only
- Thursday 26th November – Invite only
Register your player for 15th Grade trials here: https://forms.gle/LZC7bCFCuTtzNo7D8
sELECTION pROCESS
CTFC has a thorough selection process that draws on a large number of data points, such as 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 – The Club maintains a detailed record of each player’s development, performance, and progress throughout the season.
2. Season & Programme Observations – Players are regularly observed by different coaches and technical staff during trainings, games, Skill Centre/Club programmes, and tournaments.
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.
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.
u12 MIXED & U13 GIRLS teams
Pre-Academy
Ages 11 to 12 are the golden age for learning technical and tactical skills. Many of our 11th and 12th Grade players in the Skills Centre and Academy Development programmes are progressing well, and we want to give them more support before they step up to the 13th Grade Academy.
The 12th Grade Pre-Academy Programme does exactly that. It is NZ Football-accredited and gives our most talented young players extra time with quality coaches in a supportive, engaging environment. It is overseen by Director of Football Garbhan Coughlan and led by Football Development Officer Lyle Matthysen.
u13 - u17
Academy
Girls-Only U15 and U17 Academy Teams
In 2022 Cashmere Technical FC launched their very first Girls Talent Development Programme. As the girls and women’s game grows in New Zealand, Cashmere Technical acknowledges its role to support and develop emerging female players with an aspirational pathway.
After the Women’s World Cup came to our shores in 2023 and the Wellington Phoenix starting the first female New Zealand professional team, the time is now to continue to grow and develop an already great female programme within our football club.
After the success of the U14s Academy team and the Whole of Football Plan 2.0 changes we now have U15 and U7 Academy teams in 2026..
Boys/Mixed Academy Teams
Our CTFC Academy Teams (U13-U15) operate over 40 weeks of the year and have a detailed training program throughout the year, sports science support from ARA, qualified coaching staff with training taking place on our great facilities at Garrick Park.
Our U17 Academy team will operate over 37 weeks of the year which include the Boys Youth National League with opportunities to continue training in Term 4 Youth Development League training squad and Western Springs Tournament squad
Programme Highlights
Developed by top-level coaches, our Goalkeeper Academy hones the technical and tactical skills needed to excel, offering specialized training in a fun, safe, and challenging environment.
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
Dates: TBC
Time: Wednesdays, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Somerfield Park
Cost: $175 per term (split by age groups)
INFO & Accreditations
