Pre-Academy Development Program
Support Your Child To Realise Their Potential
The Wanderers Pre-Academy Development Program is designed to help aspiring young footballers to build confidence and improve their skills through high quality coaching. Aspiring young footballers often seek additional development because existing coaching programs lack consistency and deliberate progression pathways which results in unmet aspirations to reach their potential.
The Pre-Academy Development Program is a focused, additional session per week with Western Sydney Wanderers Academy coaches utilising the same philosophy, same methods and same standards we use to develop our own Academy players. It is built to complement your child's football commitments and performance in-season, and support preparation and development in off-season.
The program is open to boys (ages 8-12) and girls (ages 9-13) and hosted at multiple locations across Western Sydney. While it is run as an annual curriculum to support each participant to reach their potential and play at their highest level, delivery is aligned to school terms and participants are encouraged to join at any time.
OUR CURRICULUM
The Pre-Academy Development Program runs an annual curriculum across four terms, commencing in Term 4 of each school year. The program is structured across two distinct phases: Preparation and Performance.
Term 4 and Term 1: Preparation
The Preparation phase focuses on developing individual techniques that support long-term player development and set your child up for the football season ahead. The goals of this phase are to build the technical foundations that give players confidence on the ball, sharpness in their skills, and the fitness to compete.
Term 2 and Term 3: Performance
The Performance phase shifts focus to individual tactics and behaviours that complement club performance and ongoing player development. Building on what your child is already doing in their regular football commitments, this phase challenges them to apply and grow what they have developed, on the field and under pressure.
The Wanderers Football Philosophy: The Four Rs
Our curriculum is built around the four responsibilities of a top performing player. The best players in the world are confident and competent in each of the following actions, each corresponding to a core skill of the game.
RETAIN: Running with the ball / Attacking 1v1
RECEIVE: First touch
RELEASE: Striking the ball
RETRIEVE: Defending 1v1
A Visible Pathway
Every player in our program receives an evaluation each term, giving you a clear picture of your child's progress within the program and how it sits within the broader Football NSW ecosystem. Our pathway runs from the Pre-Academy Development Program through to our Elite program and beyond, with players having gone on to represent the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy. Progress is not a hope. It is a plan.
HOW IT FITS YOUR WEEK
Designed to slot in, not take over
We know the drill: training nights, games on weekends, and a calendar that's already full. Pre-Academy isn't designed to replace any of that.
- One session per week, 60 minutes, at a location near you
- Runs alongside your child's existing club or grassroots team.
- Multiple locations across Western Sydney
- Flexible enrolment. Join anytime during the term, and pay only for what's left
Think of it as the extra layer that makes your child's existing football count for more: sharper skills, more confidence, every time they step onto their regular pitch.
JOIN OUR PRE ACADEMY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Term Three 2026
Ages 8-12
Development
From $295
- 10-week program at various locations across Western Sydney
- Open to boys & girls (Ages 8-12)
- Quality coaching by Wanderers Academy coaches
- Pathway opportunities to Advanced and Elite Groups
- Training offered at Rooty Hill, Fairfield, Kenthurst, Penrith, Parramatta and Goulburn
Ages 9-13
Girls
From $295
- 10-week program
- Open exclusively to girls (Ages 9-13)
- Quality coaching by Wanderers Academy coaches
- Pathway opportunities to Advanced and Elite Groups
- Located at Wanderers Football Park, Rooty Hill or Endeavour Sports Park, Fairfield
Ages 10-16+
Goalkeeper
From $350
- 10-week program
- Open to boys & girls (Ages 10 - 16+)
- Specialist goalkeeper coaching by Wanderers Academy coaches
- Pathway opportunities to Advanced and Elite Groups
- Located at Wanderers Football Park, Rooty Hill
DISCOVER OUR PRE ACADEMY LOCATIONS
TERM 3 2026
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
SEE WHAT'S ON NEAR YOU
Pre-Academy Development Program | Under 9-10s | Development | Rooty Hill
Pre-Academy Development Program
Pre-Academy Development Program | Under 9-10s | Development | Rooty Hill
Pre-Academy Development Program
HEAR FROM PARENTS
Frequently Asked Questions
The Pre-Academy Development Program is hosted in a number of regions across Western Sydney, including Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Penrith, Parramatta, Strathfield and our home of football; Wanderers Football Park, Rooty Hill.
Campbelltown (sessions held on Monday)
- Ages 5-9: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Ages 10-15: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Strathfield (sessions held on Monday)
- Ages 5-15: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Girls Only Rooty Hill (sessions held on Tuesday)
- Ages 10-15: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Hawkesbury (sessions held on Thursday)
- Ages 5-9: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Ages 10-15: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Rooty Hill (sessions held on Friday)
- Ages 5-9: Friday, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
- Ages 10-15: Friday, 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
Boys Elite Rooty Hill (sessions held on Friday)
- Ages 9 and 10: Friday, 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
- Ages 11 and 12: Friday, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Parramatta (sessions held on Sunday)
- Ages 5-9: Sunday, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Ages 10-15: Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Penrith (sessions held on Sunday)
- Ages 5-9: Sunday, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Ages 10-15: Sunday, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Girls Elite Rooty Hill (sessions held on Sunday)
- Ages 11-12: 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
- Ages 13: 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Boys Elite Hills (sessions held on Sunday)
- Ages 9-10: 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
- Ages 11-12: 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Trained by our highly qualified Pre-Academy coaches, the Wanderers coaching philosophy is player-centric and driven with the outcome to provide players for our Wanderers Academy teams, and eventually the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women.
The fee for a 10-week term is $380.
The one time purchase of uniform comes at an additional cost of $70. Participants can also purchase a jacket or backpack for $80.
Yes, the Pre-Academy Development Program is inclusive and open to both boys and girls across all listed age groups.
Parents are invited to join the Stack Team App where updates on each program are provided. A number of Pre-Academy Development Programs are held at Western Sydney University Campuses, where ground closures are a possibility. We ask parents ensure they have joined the Stack Team App for their chosen venue and regularly check for updates as this is the quickest way for us to communicate changes to everyone. If sessions are cancelled, we offer participants the chance to attend other locations to make-up any missed sessions.
We do not provide any refunds for a cancelled or missed session, and will only provide an opportunity to attend a make-up session at our all-weather facility in Rooty Hill, or a credit to a future Western Sydney Wanderers program.
