2020 Football Refections

With the start of 2021 upon us we would like to provide a reflection regarding our inaugural year of the LJBC Football Academy in 2020. Much was established in a short space of time, and as coaches we would like to thank everyone for their continued support throughout the year.

Despite the competition schedule being disrupted due to COVID-19, we still managed to have a successful 2020 on the pitch.

CAS Senior Girls – ACC Champions

Our Senior Girls Football Team became ACC Champions, reaching the grand final and defeating Seton College 5-0. The team defeated all teams in the Northern Zone at the ACC Championship earlier in the year, so competed in the final with Seton, the winners of the Southern Zone competition.

• 7/8 SSWA Junior Boys

In Term 4, our Junior Boys Football Team competed in the School Sport WA Champion Schools Competition, and reached the State Final after winning the Top Tier North Division: They won all of their games against Mercy College, Woodvale Secondary College and Ashdale Secondary College to set up the final against John Curtin College. Our team unfortunately lost on penalties after a great team performance to come from two goals behind to draw 2-2 and take the game to extra time. As coaches we were impressed with the resilience and strong mentality of the group.

• West Coast State Futsal Titles – Perth Metro Winners

In Term 4, our Football Academy students competed in the West Coast School Futsal Titles and completed a clean sweep as champions in all the Boys and Girls categories they entered, winning the Perth Metro Competition in each age group from Years 4 to 10.
 - Year 7 Boys (U13’s) – Champions, defeating Ashdale Secondary College in the final
 - Year 7/8 Girls (U13/14) – Champions, defeating the International School of WA in the final
 - Year 8 Boys (U14) – Champions, defeating Ocean Reef Senior High School in the final
 - Year 9 Boys (U15) – Champions: ‘LJBC Green’ defeating ‘LJBC Pink’ in the final
 - Year 9/10 Girls (U15/16) – Champions, defeating Dianella College in the final
 - Year 10 Boys (U16) – Champions, defeating Darling Range Sports College in the final

• CAS Senior Boys – ACC Northern Finalists

In Term 3, our Senior Boys Football Team reached the Northern Final, being defeated by Mercy College to end their run in the competition.

• Perth Glory, NTC and WA State Team Selections

In August, the U14 and U15 WA Junior State Team squads were announced and there were 16 players chosen from LJBC (14 boys and 2 girls). In November, the NTC Girls Squads were announced and 4 girls were selected: There are also eight students from the LJBC Football Academy currently involved in the Perth Glory Junior Teams.

• Football Development Program – Player Pathway

The Football Development Program was established in 2020, underpinning the Football Academy to provide students with the opportunity of enhancing their technical skills and benefit from the values of the Football Academy through skill acquisition sessions. Through this program we have been able to monitor the development and progress of a larger number of students, and offer a pathway to the Football Academy for select players. Those identified have then been provided with the opportunity to move into the Football Academy on a temporary or permanent basis.

Over the coming years we aim to develop and provide opportunities/pathways for our students, through a high-performance culture with high expectations in all areas. The success we have had on the pitch has been pleasing, but more important than that is the fact that the students enjoy coming to school with a smile on their face while demonstrating a strong work ethic, enthusiasm and a desire to improve.

As a College we have all the ingredients for ongoing success going forward. We have thoroughly enjoyed the journey as coaches, and are excited about the potential of what we can develop in 2021 and beyond.

John Walmsley and Brad Hassell
Football Academy Coaches