Academy
YOUNG OLÉ (AGES 15-18)
The Young Olé player is at the top of the academy's development pathway and between the game training and performance phases of his or her football career.
Players in the Young Olé programme train 5 – 6 days per week with one game on the weekend. Individual training loads are monitored by Olé staff. Young Olé players have the opportunity of playing in the top two divisions of amateur football in Wellington, NZ; The Men’s Central League and The Capital Premier League. Young Olé players also have the opportunity of trialing for Stirling Sports National League Youth and 1st teams.
Residential players from across New Zealand (Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Christchurch, Nelson) make up a portion of the Young Olé training group.
Full-Time Football
The Young Olé calendar runs full-time from mid January to mid December with players receiving “football breaks” during school holidays and over summer
Personal Development
Young Olé players partake in a personal development curriculum administered through Lesson.ly, attend regular mentorship meetings with Olé staff and volunteer in community grassroots initiatives.
Player Placement
As Young Olé players near the end of their time at the academy, the Olé staff aid in the placement of players to U.S. universities and professional environments domestically and abroad.
Scholarship Opportunities
Players who excel in the classroom, perform on the pitch, and demonstrate solid character throughout their time at the academy receive recommendations that often result in scholarship opportunities.
The Young Olé programme offers the following benefits
The Young Olé programme offers the following benefits
Young Olé players have represented the academy at a number of academic institutions and professional clubs including:
- Auckland City FC (New Zealand Stirling Sports Premiership)
- Bucknell University (NCAA Division I)
- Bowling Green University (NCAA Division I)
- C.D. Tondela (Portuguese Primeira Liga)
- Chivas USA (Major League Soccer)
- Columbus Crew SC (Major League Soccer)
- Dartmouth College (NCAA Division I)
- Drake University (NCAA Division I)
- Falkenberg FF (Swedish Allsvenskan)
- Fulham FC (English Premier League)
- GAIS IK (Swedish Superettan)
- Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer)
- Marshall University (NCAA Division I)
- Missouri State University (NCAA Division I)
- Mjallby IF (Swedish Allsvenskan)
- Northwestern University (NCAA Division I)
- PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredevisie)
- Portland Timbers (Major League Soccer)
- San Diego State University (NCAA Division I)
- San Jose Earthquakes (Major League Soccer)
- Seattle University (NCAA Division I)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (NCAA Division I)
- Stabaek IK (Norwegian Tippeligaen)
- St. Johns (NY) University (NCAA Division I)
- Stanford University (NCAA Division I)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (NCAA Division I)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (NCAA Division I)
- University of Missouri Kansas City (NCAA Division I)
- University of New Mexico (NCAA Division I)
- University of Pretoria Amatuks FC (South African Super League)
- Vincenza Calcio (Serie B, Italy)
- Vitoria de Guimaraes (Portuguese Primeria Liga)
- Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
- Xavier University (NCAA Division I)
YOUNG OLÉ 1 (AGES 13-14)
The Young Olé 1 player is between the skill acquisition phase and game training phases of his or her football career.
The Young Olé 1 curriculum is aimed at preparing players for the full-time Young Olé programme as well as Under-17 and Senior Men’s and Women’s football. The Young Olé 1 player is still in the skill acquisition phase of his or her football career while also developing critical decision making skills and a tactical understanding of the game.
Individual Development
At this stage in the footballer’s career individual development within the context of a team environment takes precedence over winning matches.
Decision-Making
Sessions are built primarily around small-sided games and possession based “rondo” exercises that develop core skills and promote football decision-making.
Core Skills
The Young Olé 1 player is regularly playing 11 v 11 football and learning how to apply functional core skills within the context of a game setting.
Trainer to Player Ratio
Consistent with World’s “best practice” trainer to player ratios in the Young Olé 1 training group rarely exceed 1:16.
YOUNG OLÉ 2 (AGES 11-12)
The Young Olé 2 player is primarily in the skill acquisition phase of his or her football career.
The Skill acquisition phase focuses primarily on developing the footballer’s technical foundation and functional game skills.
Core Skills
The Young Olé 2 curriculum places a major emphasis on developing the individual footballer’s four core skills that make up 95% of football actions by outfield players when in possession of the ball: ball striking, first touch, 1 v 1 and running with the ball.
Individual Development
At this stage in the footballer’s career individual development within the context of a team environment takes precedence over winning matches.
Small-Sided Games
Young Olé 2 training introduces players to a possession based style of play. Sessions are built primarily around small-sided games and possession based “rondo” exercises that develop core skills and promote football decision-making.
Trainer to Player Ratio
Consistent with World’s “best practice” trainer to player ratios in the Young Olé 2 training group rarely exceed 1:14.
YOUNG OLÉ 3 (AGES 8-10)
The Young Olé 3 player is between the discovery phase and skill acquisition phase of his or her football career.
The discovery phase places a major emphasis on fostering a fun, enjoyable and unstructured learning environment, while the skill acquisition phase focuses primarily on developing the footballer’s technical foundation and functional game skills.
“Ball-Mastery”
The Young Olé 3 curriculum centres around “ball-mastery” drills aimed at developing the individual footballer’s four core skills: ball striking, first touch, 1 v 1 and running with the ball.
“Street-Football” Environment
Young Olé 3 training often replicates a “street-football” environment where unstructured free-play opportunities are widespread.
Foster a Love For the Beautiful Game
Perhaps most importantly, the Young Olé 3 programme aims to foster a love for the beautiful game in the young Kiwi player.
Trainer to Player Ratio
Consistent with World’s “best practice” trainer to player ratios in the Young Olé 3 training group rarely exceed 1:12.
SUMMER PROGRAMME
The Olé Football Academy Summer Programme is a football development initiative aimed at developing the skills of elite footballers residing in Wellington.
Olé Football Academy Summer Programme 17/18
The Summer Programme commences on Saturday, 16th September 2017 and will run until Sunday, 18th February 2018 with a break during the holiday period.
The Summer Programme consists of the Young Olé 1, Young Olé 2, Young Olé 3 and Young Olé Girls training groups and caters to footballers born between 2001 – 2009.
The Summer Programme is club unaffiliated and players from all clubs in the Wellington region are welcome. Trials for players born between 2005 – 2009 will be held on Saturday, 9th and Sunday 10th September. Players born between 2001 – 2004 are invitation only for the Summer Programme. If you are born between 2001 – 2004 and wish to trial please submit an application form below.
Summer Programme Training Schedule:
Young Olé 1 (2001 | 2002 | 2003)
Monday – 5:50 – 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday – 4:25 – 5:40 p.m.
Thursday – 4:25 – 5:40 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.
Young Olé 2 (2004 | 2005)
Monday – 5:50 – 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday – 4:25 – 5:40 p.m.
Thursday – 4:25 – 5:40 p.m.
Saturday – 10:25 – 11:40 a.m.
Young Olé 3 (2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009) + Young Olé Girls
Monday – 4:25 – 5:40 p.m.
Wednesday – 4:25 – 5:40 p.m.
Saturday – 11:50 – 1:05 p.m.
Summer Programme Fees: Fees are based on the players’ birth year* (this fee does not include training kit).
2001 | TBC
2002 | TBC
2003 | $1,000.00
2004 | $1,000.00
2005 | $1,000.00
2006 | $750.00
2007 | $750.00
2008 | $750.00
2009 | $750.00
* Please note fees may be subject to the Young Olé training group.
Training Kit: PUMA Training Kit will be available for purchase for all players. The cost will be $150.00 which includes a Poly Jacket, T-Shirt, Shorts and Socks.
Players may wear kit from the 2017 Olé Winter Programme.
All interested players, including current academy players, must fill out the following application form to be eligible for participation. Applications close Friday, 8th September 2017.
Please submit any questions regarding the Olé Football Academy Summer Programme to Olé Administrator, Michael Fraser (admin@ole.co.nz).
RESIDENTIAL ACADEMY
The residential academy is a major component for footballers residing outside of the Porirua region.
The residential academy provides a supportive, safe and secure environment for the young player. Our holistic focus on developing the scholar, human and footballer allows residential players to excel both on and off the football pitch. We believe in providing a challenging, yet supportive environment in order to strengthen the physical, mental and emotional maturity of each individual.
Support From Residential Staff
Players attend local, public schools and academic progress is monitored by Olé staff in coordination with school deans. Those in need of academic assistance receive support from residential staff, or peer support via tutors within the Young Olé programme.
Nutritional Support Provided
Three balanced meals each weekday are provided and residents are responsible for the purchase and preparation of their own food on weekends. Diets are closely monitored by staff and nutritional support is provided by Proactive4Health.
Full-Time Staff and Interns
Full-time staff and interns - typically recent graduates from U.S. Universities - live alongside players in residence, and are responsible for serving in a variety of mentorship, support and advisory roles. They are to also ensure a safe, friendly and welcoming environment.
Learn to Live Independently
The Residential Academy is designed to prepare the New Zealand player for life abroad at U.S. Universities and professional clubs. Residential players learn how to live independently and alongside others in a positive and engaging environment.
Past residents include:
NZ All Whites
NZ All Whites
NZ Under-20’s
Auckland City FC
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
San Diego State University