Sydney FC U14’s Head Coach Nick Susko said he was thrilled with his squad’s development as they capped off a rewarding season with the Premiership at the weekend.
Stating winning isn’t everything at that level, Susko said he was pleased with the individual and team improvement over the course of the year and said the Premiership was a just reward for their efforts.
“I’ve seen them develop a great deal over the season,” Susko said.
“We focus on individual development within a team context, so to see them develop as players on the field and as people off the field has been enormous from November to now.
“To see that come together on the weekend when they play as a team has been real special to watch.
“It’s been a fantastic season for the kids who have come a long way individually and collectively as a team, and to perform the way they did throughout the season so consistently is a real testament to how far they’ve come as players.
“Jacques Sartor my Assistant and all the other staff at the Academy put in a great deal of effort into working with these kids,” he continued.
“Winning isn’t everything at this age but to have the Premiership at the end of the season is a nice touch.
“The kids play up a year a lot of the time, we’ve had about 40 players rotate through the U14’s which is great for all the players in U13’s and U14’s to have a go in the team.
“Playing players up a year is always a challenge, it’s been a great learning opportunity for all the players.”
Susko credited the entire Sky Blues’ Academy for this season’s success as he said he hopes to see his players in future national teams and the Sky Blues Hyundai A-League squad in the near future.
“I want to say a big thankyou to all the coaching staff who put in an enormous amount of effort, all the volunteers and medical staff and everyone who works tirelessly throughout the year to help the kids,” he said.
“I want to see the players continue to develop a great deal,” he continued.
“They’re coming into the time of year where they have finals now, but beyond this season hopefully they all start to push for national team (Joey’s) selection and ideally in the future they’re in our NYL and A-League squads.”
Sydney FC Academy Director Kelly Cross congratulated Susko’s squad on their Premiership win.
“It’s a great achievement for Nick and his squad, they’ve played some great football this season and that’s a credit to their development throughout the year,” Cross said.
“It’s not all about results at this age, so to see the players improve the way they have is what I’m most pleased with, and the Premiership is that added cherry on top of what’s been an overall enjoyable season.”
Sydney FC’s U14 squad are next in action in their Elimination Final clash against Marconi at Cromer Park no.1 on Saturday 8 September (kick off 8:30am).
