SYDNEY, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A pioneering study released on Tuesday by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) identified six key components in the success of local players during what is referred to as the "Golden Generation" of Australian football.
The 18-month study, conducted alongside the Victorian University, sampled 17 players born in the 1970s and 80s including Paul Okon, Josip Skoko and John Aloisi, who went on to achieve unprecedented success on the international stage.
According to the report, the six key themes that recurred during the development journeys of Australia's Golden Generation were -- passion, family, mentality, environment, practice and pathway.
"As we assessed the Golden Generation, it evolved as a case study for the decisive role that an immersive culture plays in sporting success," PFA Chief Executive John Didulica said.
A deep underlying emotional connection between the player and the sport from a young age was found to be important -- as was the role which individual clubs play in shaping the entire lives of players and their families.
"For far too long we have viewed talent development through the narrow lens of a curriculum or a coaching methodology," Didulica said.
"It is clear from the research that what we need to expand our thinking and promote the important role and interdependence of the game's different constituent parts: family, community clubs, professional leagues, state federations and media partners."
On a more practical level, the report also highlighted the importance of unstructured and informal play, with players from the Golden Generation spending more than twice as much time from the ages of 5 and 18 engaging in informal play than in formal team training.
Since the era of the Golden Generation, over the past 10-15 years, there has been a sharp decline in the number of Australian footballers playing in Europe's top five leagues, as well as in the number of professional minutes being racked up by young players.
Former Socceroos striker and Australian football legend John Aloisi, a member of the Golden Generation, said the report had provided a valuable framework in helping nurture the next generation of world-class players.
"As a player and a coach over 20 years, I've been witness to so many discussions within the football community about these sorts of issues, so it's great to see this quality of work actually being done," he said.
"The report shows that the process goes much deeper than just coaching, facilities and style of play but to building a deep culture and connection to the sport we all love."
