From Toddler to Trophy Winner

The Western Sydney Wanderers have been one of the most successful sporting clubs in Australia since their formation only four years ago.

In those four seasons, the Red & Black have made three grand finals, won a premiership in their first year and became the only club to have conquered Asia when they defeated Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League Final.

 
This season, the Wanderers will be vying for four trophies: the Westfield FFA Cup, the Hyundai A-League Premiership, the Hyundai A-League Championship and the AFC Champions League.
 
There is great belief amongst the coaching and playing group that the Red & Black will be in the running for silverware come season’s end yet, if a trophy is hoisted, it will be a lot more than a season of hard work that got the players there.
 
Every player who will run onto the pitch for the Wanderers this season started their football journey as a junior playing grassroots football.
 
From there – and under good coaches – they spent time developing their technique, understanding and game awareness as they improved as players.
 
Under good coaches and with a focus on development, the junior players of yesterday turned into the Wanderers’ players of today.
 
This is why the club has such a focus on youth including a successful National Youth League Program and the formation of the Wanderers Academy: both key tools in turning talented Western Sydney youth into future Wanderers players.

 
Current stars like Mario Shabow and Lachlan Scott have come through the system which focusses on development and giving everyone the best possible opportunity of becoming a professional footballer.
 
The club’s philosophy of development has also seen 16 Wanderers players called up to play for Australia in the past three weeks: six into the Young Socceroos, four into the Joeys and six into the Australian Schoolboys.

 
With the club’s philosophy of development in mind, the Wanderers have recently announced a way for talented juniors to get a taste of what it’s like to play and train like a professional player.
 
Players aged 8-12 who are currently registered to play football in New South Wales are invited to register for the Wanderers Futures Clinic.

 
Run by Wanderers Technical Director Ian Crook, each player will get an exclusive insight into what it takes to become a Wanderers player and learn to play the Wanderers’ way.
 
To register your interest in the three day program, please click here and the club will get in touch with you.