2026 Football West Academy Boys Program confirmed
Football West is excited to announce its intake for the 2026 FW Academy Boys Program.
Around 600 players attended the Academy trials, with 16 players selected for each of the four teams – U13s, U14s, U15s and U16s.
Football West Football Development Officer Neil Kilkenny said: “Congratulations to the players who have been selected and thanks to everybody who attended the trials at Gibbney Reserve.
“We were delighted with the turnout and it is another indication that both parents and players see value in the program.”
Next season will be the second year of the Academy Boys Program and Kilkenny, who heads the Academy Boys Program, said: “The Academy was formed to develop the next generation of West Australian players and give them the tools to take their football careers as far as possible.
“On-pitch development is our priority and we will be evolving our sessions to ensure we challenge players more. So how do we do the same things but do them better and smarter?”
The Academy Boys Program has four teams, with players all playing up one year (eg U12s qualified players are in the U13s competition; U13s play in the U14s; U14s in the U15s; and U15s in the U16s).
“We found the competition we played in was a great level for us,” Kilkenny said. “It offered a really good challenge and an opportunity to win, draw and lose games.
“I also think it benefited their players playing against us, and we had great relationships with the teams and coaches we went up against.”
Former Socceroo Kilkenny said there have been approximately six changes in each age group, with a 62.5% retention rate across all teams.
“This shows players that even if they miss out one year, there is still a chance to be selected the following year,” he said. “Everyone who trials starts with a clean slate, whether you were in the Academy the previous year or not. There’s no bias.”
The Academy Boys Program team coaches are the same as in the inaugural year, with the addition of former Perth Glory and Olyroos player Tando Velaphi as goalkeeper coach.
“We are pleased to have secured Tando’s services. He has great experience and has a lot of knowledge he can pass on to our young keepers,” Kilkenny said.
“The Academy has a fantastic group of coaches and, as with our players, we will be looking for them to evolve and develop.”
Football West Football Development Manager Gareth Naven, who oversees both the Academy Boys and Girls Programs, said: “My message to the kids is when you come to us, be ready to train, ready to learn and ready to give your best, because they can expect coaches who are prepared, clear and committed to developing them.
“And all we ask of parents is to attend the induction. The induction sets out the expectations of the program. After that, all we need from parents is for them to support their child.”
- Details of the 2026 Football West Academy Girls Program will be announced shortly.
FOOTBALL WEST ACADEMY BOYS SQUADS
U13s (born 2014)
Mason Condelli
Alessio Donato
Arlo Rydings
Fateh Singh
Finn Henry
Herbie Connolly
Ian Kim
Kai Genovese
Lachlan Wood
Leo Owens
Luka Dimitrioski
Myles Spenceley
Nikolas Todorovski
Oliver Tacy
Oliver Hughes
Rupert Hall
Phase coaches: Johnny Warrington, Steve McDonald
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U14 (born 2013)
Cheng-Hao Hsieh
Edgar Tang
Ethan Gitonga
Isaac Bannon
Jack Tay
Julian Gentile
Blake Hall
Lucas Di Perna
Michael Salumu
Novak Golub
Rory Suttie
Ryan Mirco
Taj Bath
Tao Pavlinovich
Michael Moschopoulos
Joshua Mendes
Phase coaches: Ein Eric, Neil Kilkenny
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U15 (born 2012)
Bastian Cianci
Charlie Ellis
Connah Hynes
Daouda Diaw
Dexter Tidy
Erion Alimi
George Cowling
Jayden Jeong
Joshua Panashe
Jude Shahi
Mason Africa
Ringo Coogan
Tomas Jesus
Marco Trajkovski
Seth Taukulis
Joshua Mbwera
Phase coaches: Gareth Naven, Bobby Despotovski
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U16 (born 2011)
Adam Ikhlef
Ark Bashengezi
Charlie Evans
Darren Moyo
Freddie Smith
Harrison Alexander Howitt
Iago Prado Januario
Jayden Dube
John Leonidas
Keylan Appadoo
Max Nikoloski
Munashe Madziva
Reggie Steven Martin
Simon Magorwa
Luke Self
Shafiq-Javier Palta
Phase coaches: John Walmsley, Brad Hassell
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What is the Football West Academy Boys Program?
The Football West Academy is integrated with Football Australia and forms Football West’s advanced pathway program.
This provides a comprehensive training environment for talented boys aged 12 to 15, aimed at enhancing the technical skills, tactical understanding and high-performance behaviours.
Full-time Academy players train three times a week, while Membership players who are at clubs train with the Academy teams once a week.
All coaches within the Academy hold a minimum AFC-Football Australia B Diploma, ensuring players have access to appropriately skilled, qualified and experienced coaches throughout their pathway journey.