Register now for the 2026 Winter Academy trials!
The NWSF Academy, powered by NWS Spirit FC, is a series of premier training programs designed to support and enhance the development of male and female players aged U7 to U18 from across the North West Sydney Football (NWSF) community. At its core, the NWSF Academy is a way for players to receive expert training and development, all year round. Our NWS Spirit FC coaches focus on individual player development with the aim of progressing them towards potential selection in our Junior Development League (JDL) and Youth League teams.
The Academy curriculum is the “NWS Spirit FC DNA”. We help players develop their technical skills alongside a deeper understanding of the game, which they bring back to their club teams, while progressing them to develop towards potential selection in our representative Spirit FC environments. The Academy’s collaborative approach with local association football strengthens our footballing pathways, supporting the long-term success of both players and local clubs.
The Winter Academy is the core offering of our Academy program for field players and goalkeepers. It takes place from May to August (dates run alongside the NWSF competition season). Players are selected through a scouting and trial process to participate in a 15-week program, which includes two gameplay sessions. All sessions are delivered at the world-class all-weather synthetic surface at Christie Park. Players in the Winter Academy are assessed and scouted throughout by our NWS Spirit FC coaches with a view towards progression and selection into our full-time representative programs.
Following the Winter Academy, we offer Academy+, a five week program that extends beyond the winter football season. Commencing immediately after NWSF’s Grand Final Weekend, this targeted coaching program specifically focuses on preparing players for upcoming trials for representative programs. Information regarding Academy+ is communicated directly to participants in the Winter Academy.
Summer Academy is a further 10-week program (running concurrently with Term 4 school dates), exclusively for those selected in the Winter Academy. Again delivered by NWS Spirit FC coaches for field players and goalkeepers, this enables players to progress their development during club football’s off-season period through further training on Christie Park’s synthetic pitches..
Players who are not selected in the Winter Academy during the trials in April, can access further training opportunities via our Development Centres. These are delivered in Term 3 and Term 4. You can find further information on this program by clicking here.
U6 players are eligible to participate in Rising Spirits. Rising Spirits is a non-selective program that operates on a term-by-term basis. It focuses on developing a love of the game in our NWSF Miniroos players by providing a fun, safe environment. Click here to learn more about the Rising Spirits.
Winter Academy 2026
You can register for Winter Academy trials for 2026 by clicking here. Please see key information regarding the Winter program below.
Trials
- Boys trials / Monday May 11, 2026 / Christie Park
- U8 and U9 (born 2017 and 2016) – 4.30pm to 6pm
- U10 (born 2015) to U13 (born 2012) – 6.15pm to 7.30pm
- U14 (born 2011) to U18 (born 2007) – 7.45pm to 9pm
- Girls trials / Friday May 15, 2026 / Christie Park
- U8 to U11 (born 2017 and 2016) – 4.30pm to 5.45pm
- U12 (born 2015) to U18 (born 2007) – 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Please note the following trial logistics.
- Trials WILL proceed if it is raining. Trials will only be cancelled if there is lightning close by.
- Arrive 15 minutes before the trial with a ball, water bottle and sunscreen. Players wear their football kit, shin pads and football boots.
- Some players may be notified that they have been unsuccessful, during the trial, before the trial is complete. This allows for progression to larger-sided games and provides a greater opportunity for players to be assessed more closely.
- Unsuccessful trialists will NOT be provided individual feedback, due to the volume of players trialing.
Please also note the following.
- All players MUST trial in their correct age group.
- Selected players must complete payment for the Academy program on the night of the trial.
- Kit will be handed to successful players who have completed payment on the evening of the trial.
Dates
In 2026, Boys Academy will run on Mondays, and Girls Academy will run on Fridays on the following dates.
| Program | Boys (Mondays) | Girls (Fridays) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | May 18 | May 22 |
| Week 2 | May 25 | May 29 |
| Week 3 | June 1 | June 5 |
| Public holiday week | No training on June 8 | No training on June 12 |
| Week 4 | June 15 | June 19 |
| Week 5 | June 22 | June 26 |
| Week 6 | June 29 | July 3 |
| School holidays | No training on July 6 or July 13 | No training on July 10 or July 17 |
| Week 7 | July 20 | July 24 |
| Week 8 | July 27 | July 31 |
| Week 9 | August 3 | August 7 |
| Week 10 | August 10 | August 14 |
| Week 11 | August 17 | August 21 |
| Week 12 | August 24 | August 28 |
| Week 13 | August 31 | September 4 |
| Gameplay 1 | TBC | TBC |
| Gameplay 2 | TBC | TBC |
Times
- Boys – Mondays
- Rising Spirits & U8 – 5:40 to 6.40pm
- U9-U11 – 6.50 to 8pm
- U12-U14 – 8.05 to 9.15pm
- Girls – Fridays
- U8-U10 – 5.00 to 6:00
- U11-U14 – 6.00 to 7.00
Please note…
- As sessions are at Christie Park’s all-weather synthetic surface, they will not be cancelled due to rain.
- Any cancellations will be communicated via email to registered participants.
- Selected players will be provided a kit consisting of a shirt, shorts, socks, jacket & ball. Players are to bring this kit to training, along with a water bottle.
Academy pathway
The Academy is the pathway for local players to progress towards NWS Spirit FC’s Junior and Youth programs. We are very proud of the close relationship formed between NWSF and NWS Spirit FC to ensure that the representative club is proudly local. Academy players are scouted closely for consideration to be selected into Spirit squads throughout the duration of the program.
Many Spirit players, like Rubi Sullivan and Wataru Kamijo (who are both now A-League players for Sydney FC) began their representative football journey in the Academy, and it continues to form the foundation for talented players across the association.
Learn more about the Academy football program
Parents can find further information on the Academy program, our curriculum and information about how it connects to the NWSF pathway and representative programs at nwsfdna.com/academy. This is where recordings of Academy special presentations can also be found.
Parking
Parking is available at Christie Park but to avoid carpark congestion please consider street parking on Talavera Road, near Macquarie University, or parking at Macquarie Shopping Centre. These are highlighted in the below graphic.
