Brisbane Roar Youth Head Coach John Sime has announced his squad for the upcoming National Youth League 2012/13 season ahead of next week’s opening round match against Perth Glory.
Brisbane Roar Youth Head Coach John Sime has announced his squad for the upcoming National Youth League 2012/13 season ahead of next week-s opening round match against Perth Glory.
While all of his squad members are under the age of 21, Sime has opted for a balance between younger talent and more experienced players as he continues to uphold the strong development philosophy of the club.
Sime left no stone unturned in his quest for the best of the state-s best young footballing talent and welcomes six new players alongside the core of last year-s squad that finished second in the National Youth League, four points behind Central Coast Mariners.
“I think it-s tremendous for the club that there-s certainly a depth in Queensland football,” he said.
“The structure at the QAS [Queensland Academy of Sport] is certainly working and I think the rewards are coming through.
“Rado Vidosic and myself made the decision to go young and that-s the vision of the club, as well as trying to cover all parts of Queensland – from Cairns, to Townsville, to Gladstone, to Rockhampton and everywhere in between.
“Since May, I-ve probably been to well in excess of 80 games of all various levels but mostly youth levels.
“It-s been very encouraging and at training, we-ve probably looked at 150 kids.
“It-s been a bit hectic but full marks to the staff and to everyone who participated.”
The Roar-s full-time youth players Corey Brown, George Lambadaridis and Nick Fitzgerald will continue to play a large role in the squad while defender Jason Geria, a regular in the Qantas Young Socceroos set-up, will skipper the side and Ross Archibald has been named vice-captain.
“Jason Geria is a player who I rate very, very highly,” Sime said.
“You need someone who is going to lead the way, along with Ross Archibald who I-m expecting big things from this season.
“They-re both currently training with the first team and I-m really happy with the two of them.”
According to Sime, the club-s National Youth League set-up is “second to none”.
“Looking at the structure of the club, we-ve now appointed a full-time physio for the youth team and a full-time football conditioning coach for the youth team,” he said.
“[Assistant coach] Joel Smith does an excellent job – he-s very keen, he-s very eager and very ambitious and Ryan Timmins does a wonderful job as team manager.
“Everyone has got a job to do and everyone is really keen and eager to develop the kids at this club.
“It-s all about development – you-ll hear me saying this all season because it-s okay to win but we must develop and if we perform well, I-m sure we-ll get the just rewards.
“I also have to give a special thanks to Olympic Football Club, who have been our base and they do a tremendous job for us.”
Brisbane Roar Youth will open their 2012/13 campaign away to Perth Glory on Saturday, 20 October before their first home match against Melbourne Victory Youth on Sunday, 28 October.
Brisbane Roar NYL 2012/13 squad:
Goalkeepers: Nicholas TUBBS, Fraser CHALMERS
Defenders: Jason GERIA (captain), Corey BROWN, Lachlan JACKSON, Cameron CRESTANI
Midfielders: Ross ARCHIBALD (vice captain), George LAMBADARIDIS, Ben LITFIN
Strikers: Nick FITZGERALD, Kwame YEBOAH, Jordan LAMBI, Brandon BORRELLO, Patrick THEODORE
