For football, the age group is determined by the child's year of birth. For 2026 the age groups are as follows:

U7s - born 2019

U8s - born 2018

U9s - born 2017

U10s - born 2016

U11s - born 2015

U12s - born 2014

U13s - born 2013

U14s - born 2012

U15s - born 2011

U16s - born 2010

U17s - born 2009

U18s - born 2008

For players in the Monday or Tuesday academy sessions, yes the kits are compulsory. We can negotiate if families need time to invest, they are full Adidas kits for $130. Players should arrive in Football Smarts shirts, shorts and matching socks each week. The players themselves need to make sure their kits are washed and ready for their session.

The reasons we have kits are as follows:

1) Footballers should look like footballers just as coaches should look like coaches. It makes the young players feel special to be well dressed and looking sharp. This raises their own expectations of themselves!

2) This is not an academy associated strictly with any one club or school and all players should feel welcome. Removing the club kits, the school kits, and having all players in the same allows new friendships to form and for young people to feel equal.

3) Adidas kits are good quality, but come at a price. We prefer to opt for quality.

No. The academy does group according to ability where possible but will always try to make the game fun and engaging for new players too. There is an expectation that the players enjoy the game and want to participate.

If your child is new to the game it is recommended, they enrol 1-2 age groups below their age. For example, if they are u10 in 2024 but new, they are better suited to an u8/9 group. Players demonstrate they can learn and participate in the group they are allocated to in order to keep their spot.

The Academy sessions are designed and led by Gene during the week with support often from Jason or JD. In the holidays we can add coaches such as Mitch Hume or Alan Paice.

This is possible, with a price on application depending on need. Gene is available for mentoring junior players: either with feedback from watching training and or games or running 1 on 1 or 2/3 on 1 sessions. Mentoring might include training sessions, watching club games or simply a phone based chat WITH the parent and child to communicate on a weekly basis at a set time to discuss all things football. Please contact us via the website. Mentoring is specifically for players that demonstrate a willingness to learn and to commit to higher level training. It isn't for beginners or players that are discovering the game.

Sessions are at Karinya Reserve as part of the new $3m build for Sturt Lions FC or at Hewitt Reserve, Blackwood or at Clapham Primary School, Clapham. Location will be dependent on availability and suitability of weather.

In future, more sessions will be added to meet need without dropping the quality of what is offered throughout different regions. It is expected to add to a club player's weekly training sessions, not to replace them.

Football Smarts aims to add something to each player's weekly training, which they take back to their teams on gameday. Football Smarts doesn't support players only playing academy football. Team based, club-based environments are important with regards to bonding, friendships, building resilience and more.

No. One of the strengths of this academy is it is not based on selections and matchday dramas. It has a simple strategy of wanting to help young players to improve before they head back to their individual teams each week. The intention is not to compare with other academies and to run exclusive trials. The intention is to help keen players improve, regularly and to maintain a love for the game.

No. The academy sessions are open to all players. Come and join us! All players wear Football Smarts kit, and are not affiliated with any one club. We have had players from Cove, Adelaide City, Comets, Cumberland and hills teams in recent clinics.

Contact @Cathleo on Instagram. She's an amazing photographer!