Hills Development Squads
The Hills Development Squads Program aims to strengthen grassroots football within the Hills by providing a selective program for Hills players to access high-quality coaching and player development opportunities. In doing so, Development Squads aims to strengthen the technical foundation and decision-making skills of players, raising their personal development, whilst creating high-quality players involved in Hills Football Competitions.
Starting in 2024, Hills Development Squads have been delivered as a Pre-JDL Age Program (Mixed U7’s-U8’s & Girls U9’s). During the inaugural year of the Program 11 players involved in the Program transitioned to a Hills United Pathway Team, whilst a number of others made the next step in their Player Pathway Journey at different Representative Programs across NSW.
With the announcement of the Association Youth League being discontinued at the conclusion of 2025, Hills Football and Hills United finds an opportunity to expand on the current delivery of the Hills Development Squads. This is to ensure that as an organisation we continue our commitment to ensuring players within the Hills are exposed to development opportunities and building on the link between community and representative football.
What are Development Squads
Hills Development Squads is a selective only program that provides players within the Hills additional Player Development Opportunities through training and games under the guidance of the Hills United FC and Hills Football Technical Departments.
Hills Development Squads is designed to complement Hills Football Member Club Training and support players as they progress through the Player Pathway.
The following Age groups are delivered:
Player Selection
Within each age group a total of 16 players will be selected.
For Goalkeeper Sessions 1-2 Goalkeepers are selected per age group.
Player Selection occurs just after the Representative Trial Period, with a clear link for players who just miss out on a Pathway Team (HUFC) and are offered spots within the Hills Development Squads for the upcoming Season.
Player Selection also factors in those who are currently within a Pathway Team, who may not be retained for a Pathway Team, however may be offered a spot into Hills Development Squads. This also currently includes those registered as part of the Hills Football Association Youth League Program for the 2025 season.
All Players currently part of the 2025 Season HFI AYL Program will be offered a spot into the 2026 Hills Development Squads Program (pending performance and alignment to HFI player traits and values).
The Selection of Players is also in collaboration with Hills Football Member Clubs. Upon each trial selection period, Clubs are invited to nominate players who demonstrate strong potential, commitment, and the right attitude for development at a higher level.
The Main Criteria for Player Selection is that Players must be registered for a Hills Football Member Club.
Trials for the Development Squads Program for the Boys Youth League Age Groups (U13’s-U16’s) will take place in the middle to end of October in 2025. If you are interested in participating in trials, please complete the following Expression of Interest.
Coach Allocation
Within the Hills Football Development Squads a Head Coach will be allocated per team. Additionally, it is favourable if each team is also allocated an Assistant Coach
Hills Development Squad Coaches will be sourced from within the Hills Football Landscape, this includes:
- Pathway Program Coaches (current AYL Coaches)
- Pathway Program Coaches (current HUFC Coaches)
- Development Program Coaches (current HFI Casual Coaches)
- Hills Football Member Club Coaches (without the need to leave their HFI Member Club)
- Pathway Program players
Head Coaches within the Program must have a minimum of a C Diploma or working towards acquiring a C Diploma.
Assistant Coaches within the Program must have a minimum of a Foundation of Football Certificate.
Final coaching appointments will be made at the discretion of the HFI Assistant Technical Director Nick FitzGerald, the HUFC Technical Director Kevin Lester and HFI Football Development Manager Reece Gabriel.
Training Delivery
TWO training sessions will be delivered on a Wednesday Night and Sunday Afternoon at either Stringer Road Reserve or Russell Reserve.
Program Length is different for Age Groups of the Program.
- 30-week Program for Boys Youth League Program
- 20-week Program for Pre-JDL, Pre-GJDL Programs
- 5-weeks – October to December (end of Term 4) – BYL Only
- 10-weeks – February to April (Term 1) – First 5 weeks BYL Only
- 10-weeks – April to June (Term 2)
- 5-weeks – July to August (Start of Term 3 to End of Season)
Program delivery will be overseen by the Hills Football and Hills United Technical Department, with on-the-ground supervision from the Assistant Technical Director, Nick FitzGerald.
Session Plans will be provided by the Assistant Technical Director, which will be Player Development Specific to the phases of participants and in line with The Hills Way.
Trainings will be 1.5 hours in duration and will follow the graphic below to maximise Coach Availability and Allocation.
Game Delivery
During the Program Duration, Hills Development Squads will look to combine with other Football NSW Associations to play games. Games will only be played by the Boys U13’s-U16’s Program.
Games will be played on a Sunday afternoon, either at Stringer Road Reserve or Russell Reserve. All Squads and Teams will endeavour to play as many games as possible throughout the duration of the Program Length.
Additionally, games will be scheduled later to maximise availability of both Players and Coaches within the Program. Note, preference will always be given to the HFI Member Club if there is a clash of kickoff times, both as a Coach and Player.
For more information about the Hills Development Squads – please contact Nick FitzGerald – nick.fitzgerald@hillsfootball.com.au
