The Macarthur Football Association (MFA) is passionate about nurturing talent and providing a clear pathway for players of all ages and abilities. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to develop their skills and reach their full potential in the beautiful game.
Purpose of the Talent Development Program (TDP)
The TDP aims to bridge the gap between grassroots football and elite levels by providing a high-performance environment that will serve as additional high-quality training and games for club-based players. By selecting a group of talented players based in club football each term, it will become a program that not only supports player development in the region but also supports club development as this program will run alongside club football (rather than against it). The TDP therefore will act as both an individual player development focused program to strengthen club football, and as a talent identification process to strengthen player pathways in the region.
Through training that is delivered by experienced and qualified coaches, as well as through playing in higher-quality games against other member associations and NPL clubs, the TDP will provide an increased number of talented players, an exposure to what a high-performance environment looks and feels like. Alongside our other development programs, the TDP will become the crucial centrepiece in connecting grassroots and representative football together.
Head of Program: Tim Aitken
Tim brings over eight years of experience in elite football in Australia with a strong focus on player development in both the men’s and women’s programs.
From January 2019 to October 2024, he held dual roles at Macarthur FC—serving as the Assistant Coach for the A-League Men’s First Grade team while also leading the club’s NPL program as Technical Director. These positions highlight his ability to operate across professional and development environments simultaneously, delivering high standards both on and off the pitch.
Tim has also worked with Football Australia’s Youth Boys State Teams at recent National Championships, helping identify and mentor emerging talent on the national stage. He was involved in the women’s football environment through being assistant coach to Leah Blamey in the both the Future Matildas program and the Young Matildas Asian Cup 2024 campaign. This further showcases his ability and commitment to advancing the game for all athletes. He has been with the Macarthur Football Association since October 2024 and has shown in the short time his commitment to developing the next generation of footballers.
Holding a Football Australia A Licence, Tim brings a wealth of technical knowledge and leadership. In his role, he will oversee the delivery of a high-quality Talented Player Development (TDP) program—guiding and mentoring coaches, shaping program standards, and playing a hands-on role in the development of players within the elite pathway.
Program Offering: What's included in TDP?
Program Cost
The Talent Development Program is priced at $295 per term, which includes 10 weeks of high performance coaching and three competitive matches against other Football NSW member associations and/or NPL clubs, with all referee fees covered.
A one-time uniform package fee of $135 also applies, which includes the official training kit.
Further details and any relevant information about upcoming talent identification and programs will be released in due course. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Football Development Manager, Matt Rootsey, on matt@macarthurfootball.com.au