Monash City player makes National Youth A-League Debut (14 March 2010)

The club caught up with former Monash City junior player Curran Ferns this week to ask him about life at the FFV National Training Centre (NTC) and his recent selection for the Melbourne Victory Youth team at the age of 16 in the last game of the 2009/10 National Youth A-League season. Curran played for 8 years at Monash (U8 - U15) before joining the Victorian Institute of Sport in 2009.

Steve: What was it like playing for Melbourne Victory?
Curran: It has not really sank in yet as it happened so quickly. Three days before the game I got a call to ask if I would like to play and I had to quickly organise paperwork to register in time for the game. On the Sunday I was in Canberra and putting on the Victory playing strip, the team I had been supporting since 11 years old. It was the best feeling walking out with the teams onto the pitch to line up. The whole atmosphere was really professional.

Steve: How did you get the opportunity?
Curran: A few of us from the VIS last season were invited to join a new U19 NTC Program this season to play games against VPL senior sides. I had played a couple of half games on the Wednesday nights and after the second game three of us were told we may be required the following Sunday for the squad to play the AIS.

Steve: How did the game go?
Curran: I was nervous for the first 20 minutes. I played right back and had to defend against Kamal Ibrahim who is one of the best youth players in the country. He has signed a senior contract for Melbourne Hearts next season. He had me pegged back in the opening minutes, he is difficult to read as he is very skillful, quick and can turn you on both sides. I settled down after getting more involved and joining the play going forward. I played a good through ball to Nathan Elasi who nearly scored. The second half was much better for me individually and I was pleased with my defending, and getting chances to get down the wing to deliver crosses.

Steve: Can you tell us more about the NTC
Curran: Well at the moment we train about 4 or 5 times per week, depending on the schedule of games. The training is really good and intense. We train mainly at Monash University. The standard of the players is high, so you have to push yourself to perform every session. We also do gymn work. We get to play lots of games over the year. Last year we toured France and played New Zealand U17s to help them prepare for the World Cup finals in Nigeria. This week we are playing the Singapore U16 national team. I think we may get a chance to play Melbourne Hearts when they start up in the next few weeks.

Steve: What can you advise young players at Monash
Curran: The way you train is the way you are going to play. Keep working on improving your first touch, skills and playing small sided games with lots of passes. The players should practice at least 4 times per week. Also try to go on tours to get experience travelling and playing. The game becomes very fast and more physical once you leave juniors at U16s, so your first touch and ability to play out of tight areas and under pressure becomes very important. You will also find that you may get placed in different positions than you preferred playing as a junior, so you must be flexibile where the coach wants to play you.