I first became aware of the IFS concept early last year in a chance conversation with Josh Rose before training one morning. He’d heard of a potential High School catering specifically for aspiring young footballers, to be based in my home town, on the Central Coast.
Having always had a passion for coaching and developing young players (I would play Football Manager as a kid rather than FIFA), I had to investigate this further. By the end of the day I’d arranged a meeting with a guy named Paul & Julie Dolan.
That meeting lasted well into the night (Julie was falling asleep) and I could tell from our conversations that Paul and I would get along. We shared the same dreams and philosophies around youth development and family/life balance and the ‘IFS VISION’ was something I wanted to become a part of. In all honesty though, I left that meeting thinking, ok, fantastic bloke, great intentions, but starting a Football High School from scratch, knowing footballs political backdrop, would be nigh on impossible. To do it in 8 months, fantasy stuff.
Fast-forward to today, the 31st January, 2013;
After countless months of tireless work from everyone involved, close to 80 nervous, apprehensive, excited kids starting college with a dream, a dream that one day they will be lucky enough to become a professional footballer. To perhaps pull on the Green & Gold one day. I could see a bit of my younger self in every single one of those kids today and I can’t wait to educate and inspire these young footballers in the coming years to help them make those dreams a reality.
It is educators/football professionals like you that have inspired my child to attend. By attending this awesome college I believe she will be able to aspire to be whatever she wants and for that I cannot Thank every one of you enough for your dedication.