Border born Socceroo Josh Kennedy to launch JK Football Development in region

Former Socceroo Josh Kennedy has teamed up with a host of experienced Border coaches to create a new program based around skill development.

JK Football Development launches on October 15 at Albury's Glen Park for players five to 16 years of all abilities.

Players do not require any previous club experience to get involved in the 10-week trial program, which will lay the platform into next year.

Since retiring from professional football in 2015, Kennedy has noticed a big gap missing in the development of junior players and is keen to draw on all his experience to provide a different option to what is already being offered in the region.

Kennedy was part of the Socceroos' 'golden generation' which took Australia to the 2006 FIFA World Cup - the first time in 32 years, and he wants to share that skill set with the Border's rising stars.

ALSO IN SPORT:

"We're trying to take that technical learning from that generation of players and even the generation before because they kind of started it," Kennedy said.

"Looking back at the era I came through, the tactical aspect of learning the fundamentals of football has very much been relaxed.

"If we can take some of those little things that have been missing and combine them in a game situation, we're going to be a step ahead in a year's time when these kids really get past their development point.

"It's important for me to give them the fundamentals right now, which allows them time further down the track to progress to other things like game awareness.

"The key is getting the groundwork done as soon as possible and you can progress and build on that much quicker."

Kennedy hopes it can accompany what's already offered in the region by AWFA clubs and the association's representative program, as well as Victorian NPL club Murray United.

"I hope the whole of AWFA, Murray United and even North East Victoria with Wangaratta and Myrtleford will get involved," he said.

"We definitely don't want to take away from anyone else in the region, we want to add more and provide another option to help players develop their game."

One of the region's most decorated soccer coaches Stephen Hayes will help facilitate the program from the Border until Kennedy is released from Melbourne's COVID-19 lockdown.

"A few of us put our heads together and we wanted to have a bit of a legacy for Josh's involvement in football in the area," Hayes said.

"There's certainly a hole in the market for it and Josh was keen to put something back into the area, so the stars seemed to align to bring a program in with his desires to give back to the game."

Younger groups will start from 5.30pm and run for an hour, followed by a 75-minute session for older players.

Further information can be found on the JK Football Development Facebook page or by emailing jkfootball2020@gmail.com.