Upper City Football’s Talent Development Programme (TDP) was established in 2020 in response to the phasing out of the Federation based Talent Centres by New Zealand Football and Capital Football. It has been put in place to enable our ambitious and talented male and female youth footballers to continue to develop, grow and fulfil their potential on and off the field while remaining part of the UHCF footballing family.
By establishing a TDP, Upper Hutt City Football can offer its players a New Zealand Football accredited development programme that is aligned with New Zealand Football’s playing philosophy and development pathway. It also allows these players to participate in the Capital Football administered Capital Development League (CDL) against the other TDP clubs.
To participate in this programme all you need to do is attend the youth trials (mid-to-late February), with players graded into the top teams then being invited to participate in the Talent Development Programme.
TDP players will be expected to attend up to 3 x TDP trainings per week at Maidstone Turf.
There will also be an additional cost over and above the standard registration fee which the club is committed to keeping as reasonable as possible to ensure it is not a barrier to participation.
What we want to achieve
Our mission as a club is to provide football for all which also encompasses providing a pathway for ambitious youth players to fulfil their potential. This will be done by providing top quality coaching and ensuring players understand what is required to be the best they can be, give them a strong technical base and well-rounded tactical knowledge to be able to adapt to the future game and the differing coaching and playing environments they are likely to find themselves in over the course of their footballing lives.
Player commitment
TDP players are expected to attend all trainings (unless injured) for the full length of the programme.
Training times
In season the players will train Monday and Wednesday evenings between 6.00pm-8.30pm. Out of season the players will train up to 3 times a week.
All sessions where possible at Maidstone Turf.
Cost
UHCF TDP charge is currently $650 per player in addition to the normal registration fees.
Eligibility
The UHCF Talent Development Programme is available to players in Grades U13, U15 and U17. Entry is via invitation following the club grading process.
TDP games programme
TDP teams will compete in Capital Football’s highest league against the other 11 TDP-accredited clubs throughout Wellington. This is a major change from previous seasons where “A” teams in the U13-U14/15 and U17 grades would have competed in the top JPL league. Now, only TDP accredited clubs will be able to compete in the top competition; currently there are 11 accredited clubs in Wellington. From 2021 all CDL games will be played on Sundays.
Coaching Staff
The TDP is headed up by our Technical Director. He is supported in this role by Junior and Youth Development Officer Jonathan Winkworth, Kris Pinnock (U13 Head Coach), Jacob Marshall (U15 Head Coach), Michael Tannenbaun (U17 Head Coach) and Robin Holloway (U17 Assistant Coach) and specialised goal-keeping coach, Kris Pinnock.
More information
For more information or if you have any questions, please email TDP@upperhuttcityfootball.org.nz