Monash City is pleased to announce that our elite female U13 super league player, Ashley Brown, has been offered a scholarship position with the Girls NTC (National Training Centre) Program run by the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS). We believe Ashley is the youngest girl to ever be offered such a scholarship program and will be now be training about 5 days a week with Australian International players such as Amy Jackson and Melissa Barbieri.

Ashley is very dedicated and has been rewarded after investing in extra training and coaching. Ashley also represents Victoria in U13 Girls and joins the growing list of Monash girls that have represented Victoria over the past 2 years such as Chloe Drinoczky, Savanna Ferns, Sienna Fogarty and Samantha Nashed.

Football Federation Victoria established the NTC Program for girls to ensure Victoria's female players had access to similar development pathways as per the boys' V.I.S. Program. The NTC program is the pinnacle of the development pathways offered to elite female soccer players within Victoria. In conjunction with the Victorian Institute of Sport, the NTC program aims to prepare players for future national team selection. The program operates year round, with 20 scholarships on offer each year. The program is designed to improve the physical and mental aspect of the girls' games as well as their technical ability. The program includes competing in regular matches against U/14 Boys Super League sides. Additionally it seeks to introduce and educate scholarship holders in vital areas such as:

• Strength and conditioning
• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Sports psychology
• Hydration

The Club would like to officially announce that it has appointed Mr Manni Katakis as a professional coach for the U10 A (Kangaroos) squad in 2007. Manni will be assisted by former Victorian junior state team representative and State League player Mr Nick Gazonis.

Background of the Coach

Manni has recently completed the new Asian Confederation Level C course which is the first level qualification for professional coaches, his background includes:
? Football Federation Victoria Academy Coach U14s (2005) and U11s (2006).
? Former Victorian futsal youth representative team coach at national championships.
? Former junior Super League and A league level coach with Ashburton, Bulleen and Stonnigton.
? Strong believer in Brazilian football culture.
Manni and Nick and will be providing an enhanced development program for the players to groom them as advanced players for Super League level of junior competition. Emphasis will be on developing superior ball skills, passing, movement and attack-minded play.

Training and competition commitment

Players will be required to train twice a week and play U10 Kangaroos competition on Saturdays. There is also scope for the team to play in the U11 Joeys junior competition on Sundays for extra experience. Players will also have opportunity to participate in futsal games at the State Championships, and provide the core player base of the U10 Monash City Castlefield Shield representative team in September 2007.

First training session

Players wishing to trial and join this squad should attend the initial training session at the Monash City Indoor Training Facility (Argyle Reserve, Kinrade Street, Oakleigh) on Saturday 20 January 2007 from 11 am to 1 pm. Note: players should bring indoor training shoes and shin-pads (no football boots will be needed).

Further details

Please contact Manni Katakis on email soccercoach@optusnet.com.au or Mobile 0415 875 830.

Former Monash City junior player and current U20 Australian International Steven O'Dor made his A-League debut last weekend for the New Zealand Knights against Melbourne Victory at Olympic Park. Steven was drafted into the squad from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to cover for players that had refused to sign new short-term contracts with the FFA. Steven was a player with Monash City from a sub-junior through to the 2003 U15 Super League. At the end of the 2003 season he secured a scholarship to the AIS and has become an integral part of the current U20 international squad. Steven has also gained senior playing experience with South Melbourne. This is a big breakthrough for Steven and we hope to see him become a permanent fixture in the A-League next season, perhaps on his way through to bigger things over the next few years.