Western United is looking to build on the success of the WUFC Development Centre in 2024 with another huge year ahead for the Club’s talent development pathway.
In its second full calendar year since launching in April 2023, the WUFC Development Centre is a training program for talented players in the West based on the foundations and philosophies of the Western United Academy.
Term 1 trials for the WUFC Development Centre 2025 intake will commence next week. Here, you can find out everything you need to know to take part in the program this year.
Head to the Development Centre page on the Western United website.
What is the WUFC Development Centre?
The WUFC Development Centre is the first step into the Western United talent pathway, providing a high-quality training environment that covers every aspect for a young footballer – from tactical to psychological.
With Western United technical staff leading the way, the program includes detailed training sessions, friendly matches, gala days and tournaments throughout the year.
The first week of each term is a trial period with training commencing in the second week, while the final week of term is dedicated to a mini tournament gala day for all participating players.
In 2025, the WUFC Development Centre will be based out of our different locations – Ironbark Fields in Tarneit, Alcock Road Reserve in Truganina, Clifton Park in Brunswick and Maribyrnong College.
What is the purpose of the WUFC Development Centre?
The main amibition of the WUFC Development Centre is to train and prepare talented young players to transition into the Club’s full-time Academy program.
Since its launch almost two years ago, the WUFC Development Centre has progressed 35 players into the Western United Academy with further players being monitored and identified in related scouting activities.
Introducing the Futsal Development Centre
Adding onto the program into the 2025 is the launch of a futsal program for boys and girls, aligning with the Club’s participation in Series Futsal Victoria and giving a wide-ranging and wholistic approach to technical development.
Join the WUFC Futsal Development Centre in 2025
The Futsal Development Centre will run one session per week on Saturday afternoons at Good News Lutheran College in Tarneit.
What is in store for the WUFC Development Centre in 2025?
After a fantastic year for the program in 2024, the WUFC Development Centre is set for even bigger things this year.
The introduction of the futsal program in 2025 will be the biggest upgrade for the program this year, exposing more and more talented young footballers to various aspects of the game.
This year, the Development Centre squad will participate in the Football South Australia U12 National Development Carnival as well as a number of local tournaments and a potential international exposure opportunity.
How can we join the WUFC Development Centre?
To join the WUFC Development Centre, simple fill out the expression of interest form to attend the trial session in the first week of term.
Following that, successful players will be contacted to begin the program with the option of participating in one or two sessions per week.
Once a player has been successful in earning selection into the WUFC Development Centre, they will remain in the program each term and will not be required trial again.
Fill out the expression of interest form here for boys, and here for girls.
Click here for the expression of interest form for the Futsal Development Centre.
