Dee Why FC academy players youngsters in NSW Football’s Champion of Champions Final

It started as an idea to keep youngsters active and make them better soccer players. Now Dee Why FC are reaping the rewards of a long term plan.

Dee Why football team are playing in the Champions of Champions event this weekend. Front row: Michael Miric, Tate Braams, Banjo Letts, Bryce Newsome, Orson Reid, Dustin Labador, Max Winter, Ronan Doyle, Hassan Haggag. Back row: Head coach Ryan Doidge, Patrick Wollaston, Joshua Teague, Tek Khulal, Max Kusnierz, Jake Warburton, Ailbhe Rosenwax, Stuart Nairn (coach and DYFC President). Picture: AAP/ Monique Harmer

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It started as a plan to keep kids active, away from their computers and phones for a bit and playing more football with better skills.

Now, almost three years after the Dee Why Football Club created a soccer academy to improve coaching quality and develop players, their first graduates are chasing a major football title.

“We are now seeing the fruits of our labours,’’ said junior president Garry Braams of the Dee Why team playing for the Champion of Champions title in the under 12s division this Sunday at Valentine Sports Park.

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“That first squad has now developed into this under 12s team.’’

The nucleus of the original 20-strong academy squad now makes up the Dee Why FC team taking on the Kellyville Kolts in the first match of the 51st Champion of Champions Final day at 8.30am.

The Ryan Doidge coached side earned their spot in Sunday’s grand final after finishing as premiers in the Manly Warringah Football Association competition and then winning all three of their games in a Football NSW’s knockout tournament.

“We scored 64 goals and only had eight against us,’’ said Braams of the local season.

“We are tying to become a real football force on the beaches. We are trying to be a club that players come to be developed.’’

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Braams said the club is growing fast with 542 players this year, up from 289 three years ago.

“We have well over 100 in the academy this year,’’ he said.

“We want to keep the kids interested in a sport their entire life and not be overrun by computers and phones.

“We try and fill them up with activity and get them involved.’’

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More than 300 teams competed in the Football NSW’s knockout tournament in the hope of landing a coveted spot in Sunday’s big day.

Both Manly Football Association and Football South Coast and will field the most teams on Sunday with five each.