NPLB 2025
U14, 15, 16, 18s Boys
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to the TUFC NPL Boys Program for 2025.
Following Capital Football’s announcement that they are combining NPL and CPL in 2025, we are excited to grow our program even further.
Our vision is to be the club of choice for aspiring players in the ACT and to promote a professional environment in which all players develop and grow as people.
Winner: Most Innovative Program
Winner: Most Innovative Program
TUFC’s Premier League Boys ‘Stronger Teams’ Program was named the most innovative program across the whole of Capital Football for 2024!
The Innovative Program of the Year award was presented to TUFC in recognition of our development of the most unique and forward-looking football-related initiative, program, or event.
TUFC demonstrated, above all others, that the aims and objectives of our program align with growing and improving the footballing community of our club both on and off the pitch.
We are extremely proud to have received this award. Work is already underway to make our 2025 program even better.
You can read below to learn more about the various aspects of our program.
Trials
Trials
Join our 2025 National Premier League Boys teams!
We are taking expressions of interest for our upcoming October trials.
If you are looking for an environment that cares as much about your football development as your personal development, then TUFC is the club for you.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of what we believe is the best-developed program in Canberra.
Note: If you did not play for TUFC NPLB in 2024, please sign in as a Guest when completing the registration form.
Philosophy
Philosophy
We believe that winning comes from playing ‘Good Football’.
At TUFC, ‘Good Football’ means that players are given a licence and the confidence to develop ‘Good Football’ techniques and tactics. We teach football that is played Fast, Agressive and Direct (FAD). This means instead of screaming at our players ‘boot it out’, we’re encouraging players to combine in small spaces to play out of trouble, no matter where you are on the field, and to have purpose in play no matter the position on the field and the situation.
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Trials
Trials
TUFC does not offer players early offers.
Instead, all squads will be selected, on merit, based on trials. As such, you can attend trials with us knowing that you will be treated equally.
TUFC understands that selecting the right program can be a difficult choice. As such, TUFC will not pressure you to join our program by placing restrictions on offers, i.e. we will not rescind your offer if you choose to trial for other clubs. We may, however, ask you to make a decision by a certain date so that we can manage other players.
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Meet The
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
TUFC Technical Director
As TUFC TD, Tim is responsible for the development of all coaches and players.
Tim has a long resume of experience and qualifications. Of note include:
- Football Federation Australia B Licence
- AFC Football Federation Australia Level 3 GK Coach Candidate
- Erindale College Sydney FC Academy School Program Head Coach
- Canberra United W-League Goalkeeper Coach
- Capital Football TSP Goalkeeper Coach
Meet The
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Tim Davies, TUFC Technical Director
As TUFC TD, Tim is responsible for the development of all coaches and players.
Tim has a long resume of experience and qualifications. Of note include:
- Football Federation Australia B Licence
- AFC Football Federation Australia Level 3 GK Coach Candidate
- Erindale College Sydney FC Academy School Program Head Coach
- Canberra United W-League Goalkeeper Coach
- Capital Football TSP Goalkeeper Coach
PRE-SEASON CAMP
PRE-SEASON CAMP
Our pre-season camp will be held 7-9 February 2025.
Camp kicks off, on Friday night, with our first-grade players conducting masterclasses based on playing positions. This is always a great opportunity to get know the senior players and learn from the Club’s best players.
On Saturday morning, you’ll make your way to Camp Cottermouth and participate in a wide variety of sessions and activities covering nutrition, injury management, recovery, mental skills, leadership, and fun challenges. In the evening, guest speakers will inspire you.
Sunday morning kicks off with an Hour of Power group fitness session before pack-up and departure.
AMAZING
RACE
AMAZING
RACE
The Amazing Race sees you participate in small teams, visiting checkpoints and undertaking challenges along the way.
You’ll solve problems, navigate, and work as a team to pickup as many points as possible.
For the winners, in each age group, they’ll each take home a famous Tuggies Showbag!
CULTURE
SESSIONS
CULTURE
SESSIONS
While we are focused on winning games, through Good Football, and developing players, success is not gained as an individual.
That’s why, at the start of the season you’ll attend a session with your teammates where you’ll take ownership of the team culture.
During the session you’ll set goals, make promises, and agree on your team’s values & characteristics.
All this will be summarised on one page and given to you as a reminder of the commitment you’ve all made to the team and its ultimate goal.
LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM
LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM
Football is not just about the results on the pitch. It’s also about developing people.
That’s why players identified as leaders and for those aspiring to be leaders, both within the football club and outside, will be invited to participate in the TUFC Leadership Program.
The Leadership Program exposes players to various leaders from all walks of life both in-person and through digital content.
Small groups discussions and activities will challenge players to consider what they have learnt and how it might be applied both at football and outside it.
For example, when leaders are talking at the Tuggeranong United Business Club, players in the program will be invited to attend enjoy breakfast and hear first-hand. In 2025, those speakers include a Captain of a winner of the team category at the Tour de France and Michelle Heyman, Canberra United senior player and Olympian.
PRE-SEASON
TOURNAMENT
PRE-SEASON
TOURNAMENT
To help prepare for the season, TUFC hosts a pre-season tournament.
You’ll play against three other clubs, in a tournament style over multiple weeks, culminating in a finals series.
TUFC is currently liaising with clubs to participate and will announce them soon.
PRE-SEASON
CONDITIONING
PRE-SEASON
CONDITIONING
While players will undertake conditioning during training sessions, TUFC coaches also offer additional conditioning sessions, especially during the pre-season.
You’ll have the ability to work on your endurance, speed, and agility to help ensure you are ready for the physical challenges of the season.
GAME
PACKETS
GAME
PACKETS
For each game, our coaches release Game Packets, covering an analysis of the opposition’s formation and style as well as your team’s objectives, tactics, set pieces, and lineup.
While especially important for player preparation, Game Packets also allow parents to understand and what the team is trying to achieve and how they’ll go about it.
DEDICATED
PHYSIO
DEDICATED
PHYSIO
Move Happy is the TUFC NPL Boys Physiotherapy partner and helps us get injured players back to 100% and back on the park as soon as possible.
At the start of the season, Move Happy will baseline your uninjured physical state so there is comparison data in the event of an injury. Importantly, this includes concussion baselining.
If you do get injured, Move Happy provide a TUFC dedicated post-game triage clinic for injured players that need to be seen promptly. This clinic is used to identify players who need to be seen formally for physiotherapy, referred for imaging, or those who just need to be checked and cleared to play with some adjustments.
If you do require treatment, through your insurance, included in your participation costs, 75% of the cost of treatment is covered (when claiming back). This allows you to be effectively and thoroughly rehabbed without being worried about the burden of the associated costs.
FIRST GRADE EXPERIENCE
FIRST GRADE EXPERIENCE
Our 1st Grade Experience gives aspiring players a glimpse into what it is like to play First Grade for TUFC. Coaches select participants based on potential, commitment, and consistent application at training and on game days.
First Grade players will come and watch one of your games, catching up with you after to talk about the game and offer some advice and support. Then, before the First Grade game, you’ll hang out and chat with First Grade Players. You’ll be welcomed into the change room before the game and, during the game, you’ll sit right next to the bench. At halftime, you’ll head back into the sheds and and after the game, back in the sheds, you’ll even join in the team victory song!
This is a unique opportunity to go inside the inner sanctum of a First Grade team and build relationships with senior players and coaches.
Here’s what some of our players thought of their First Grade Experience:
It was good being able to talk to Mitch about his tactics and what his week building up to the game looked like was really interesting. Then just having a chat with the players and having a laugh with them was good. I also found the pre-match talk really interesting and the players telling us about how Mitch sends them information surrounding the game throughout the week.
It was defiantly worth while and a good experience. I was able to get an insight into First Grade and hopefully use all their tips they kindly gave me to improve my performance on the pitch and lead up to games.
I really enjoyed my first grade experience as I was intrigued by the work rate, professionalism, and technique all the first graders possessed. I like how all of them were nice and listened to me and gave good advice that I could use later on. I liked the team talk as I found that they approached every game based off of the knowledge they had of the other team. The experience was amazing and I’d love to do it again.
U23S OPPORTUNITIES
U23S OPPORTUNITIES
To assist with your development, TUFC is a club that looks to provide players from our NPL Boys program opportunities in NPL U23s.
In 2024, 11 of TUFC U18s team were given opportunities to play U23s.
KANGA
CUP
KANGA
CUP
Where possible, TUFC looks to enter teams into the Kanga Cup.
Tournament football is always a unique experience, providing opportunities to play against different opposition.
360PLAYER
360PLAYER
360Player, our club-wide platform, provides players and parents/guardians with a one-stop app for all your registration, payment, and information needs.
For each team, 360Player provides a private social wall, group chats, and private chats. Plus, players and parents can RSVP for trainings and games with a simple tap.
Registering for club events such as camps, team building, presentation nights, and the like is a breeze with built-in forms and seamless online payments.
For those wishing to spread payments out, the app allows you to easily set up and stick to a payment plan.
ICON
ICON
TUFC NPLB players have some access to the ICON, often known as the ‘ICON Football Ring’; one of only two in Australia.
The ICON is built around the idea of deliberate practice: Intense Repetition + Instant Feedback + Expert Guidance
Designed to replicate match-realistic movements, players can fine-tune vital attributes like close control, passing accuracy, awareness, and much more. It’s also a great tool for rehabilitation after injury, facilitating controlled, low-impact training, as a steppingstone to full-contact.
The ICON provides:
- 40-50 touches in a minute – the same as a 90-minute match
- Professionally designed preset training programs
- Detailed performance data from vibration sensors
Arriving Nov 2024
TUFC ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP
TUFC ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP
TUFC players and their families are eligible for our paid TUFC Membership program.
The program provides discounts and special offers from a large and wide range of Canberra businesses.