Macarthur FC will establish a direct player pathway from junior grassroots football to its Isuzu Ute A-League team with the launch of the Bulls FC Academy in 2023.
The Bulls FC Academy will compete in the National Premier Leagues NSW next season following a merger between Northbridge Football Club and Macarthur FC.
Having operated as a joint venture for the past two National Premier League seasons, Bulls FC academy will become a single entity from the start of the 2023 season with Macarthur FC managing the technical direction of the football program.
Bulls FC Academy will be run as a non for profit entity. It will oversee the women’s programs from SAP under 10’s to NPL first grade women, boys’ NPL pre-academy, the men’s NPL programs from under 13s up to the NPL1 first grade team.
As part of the establishment of Bulls FC Academy, Socceroo legend Mile Sterjovski will remain head coach of the men’s NPL1 team while former Young Socceroo Corey Gameiro to remain technical director of the youth programs.
“Another A-League academy means more opportunities for young kids and another pathway to the top,” Bulls FC Academy technical director Corey Gameiro said.
“Kids will have the chance to train in an elite environment through our NPL boys program into Mile’s NPL1 team. Once playing under Mile, they are only one tap on the shoulder away from breaking into the A-League.”
Since forming a joint partnership in the 2021 season, three players have been promoted from Northbridge’s NPL team into the Macarthur FC Isuzu Ute A-League Men’s squad.
“The partnership over the last two years has been exceptional with three graduates from the joint venture to our first team already. We believe this will grow further as we put more investment and resources into our academy program,” Macarthur FC chief executive Sam Krslovic said.
“The Academy also represents a significant step in investment in women’s football from the club and the start of our journey towards establishing our own Liberty A-League women’s team.”
Macarthur FC is in advanced planning to build its Centre of Excellence in Cawdor, with construction to begin as early as 2023.
