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.
The Talent Development Program is the crucial centrepiece in connecting grassroots and representative football together.
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.
Macarthur TDP - Term 3 2026 Program Details
Designed as a program to help bridge the gap between grassroots and representative football, our Macarthur TDP has already had 56 PLAYERS progress through TDP, alongside club football commitments, into representative football for 2026.
Our Term 3 Macarthur TDP will be our most exciting term yet as selected players will be in our “Macarthur Team of the Year” squads! Players will undertake 10-weeks of training, plus will play key games against NPL clubs (and other associations) ahead of the 2027 representative squad selection/ trials window. The games, to be viewed directly by invited NPL TD’s and Coaches, will no doubt assist players to be identified and for potential selection into 2027 representative squads. This, alongside becoming a better player overall for 2027, whether that be in local Macarthur football, or in representative football.
Excitingly, we will now have a dedicated offering for the development of better players within our MSAP leagues. Our Term 3 Macarthur TDP will also expand to include MSAP age-groups, inclusive of Boys and Girls programs to be delivered for U8, U9, U10 and U11 players, in addition to our current age-groups of U12-U16 Boys and U12-U15 Girls. For confirmation, we will invite players from the below age-groups into our Term 3 2026 Macarthur TDP:
BOYS PROGRAM: U8, U9, U10, U11/ U12, U13, U14, U15, U16
GIRLS PROGRAM: U8, U9, U10, U11/ U12, U13, U14, U15
*expansion age-groups/ existing age groups
Dates: Monday 20th July – Monday 21st September 2026
Time Allocations:
Boys Program
5:00-6:10pm = U8 Boys, U9 Boys
6:15-7:25pm = U10 Boys, U11 Boys, U12 Boys, U13 Boys
7:30-8:40pm = U14 Boys, U15 Boys, U16 Boys
Girls Program
5:00-6:10pm = U8 Girls, U9 Girls, U10 Girls, U11 Girls
6:15-7:25pm = U12 Girls, U13 Girls, U14 Girls, U15 Girls
Location: Lynwood Park, St Helen’s Park
Cost: $295 registration fee + $135.00 kit fee (one-off fee for new participants)
Macarthur TDP - Term 3 2026 Player Identification/ Selection Details + Expression of Interest Process
Player Identification Process
MSAP Age-Groups (U8-U12): players will be identified primarily through ongoing participation in our Willowdale MSAP Hub, in addition to a final identification opportunity at our Wests Group Macarthur Cup (U8-U12). This will also be supported by an Expression of Interest (EOI) process outlined below to capture any additional interest.
MYL Age-Groups (U13-U16): Our MYL age-group players will be identified through ongoing participation within our Macarthur Youth League (MYL). This will also be supported by an Expression of Interest (EOI) process outlined below to capture any additional interest.
Player Selection Process
Selection-wise, our Term 3 Macarthur TDP squads will be selected as a “Macarthur Team of the Year” for the respective age-groups. Players will be notified in the week of 13th-17th July.
MSAP Age-Groups (U8-U12): selected players will receive a confirmation offer email after an age-groups Wests Group Macarthur Cup tournament (e.g., in the week of 13th – 17th July). For more information on our Wests Group Macarthur Cup, see our website HERE.
MYL Age-Groups (U13-U16): selected players will receive a confirmation offer email on Monday 13th July after identification from our MYL and/ or our Expression of Interest process.
Expression of Interest (EOI) Process
In addition to the above player identification methods, if you have a son/ daughter in the above Macarthur TDP age groups (U8-U16), please complete our Expression of Interest (EOI) form below detailing of your personal details, as well as their playing experience and we will be in touch with you accordingly with any further details as outlined above.
Macarthur TDP Latest Stories
Meet Our Coaches: All with Representative Experience
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 a minimum of two 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.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to MFA Football Development Manager, Matt Rootsey, on matt@macarthurfootball.com.au