Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has reinforced the importance of developing youth in helping to build an ongoing platform for success.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip has reinforced the importance of developing youth in helping to build an ongoing platform for success.
A former head coach of Ajax-s revered youth team, van ‘t Schip has extensive experience in shaping the next generation of football talent, preparing rising stars for the rigours of senior football.
Van ‘t Schip believes embracing youth is of paramount importance during the club-s inaugural season, saying it forms an integral aspect of his sporting philosophy.
“What drives me is having results, but of course, an important aspect is to have a vision of a way to play, the vision of developing youth and helping them push into the team if possible,” he said.
“I know you have to have results also but I grew up in Holland and Ajax, which is famous for its youth system, and when you have an opportunity promote younger players into the first team, it helps identify you as a club.”
Van ‘t Schip recently returned to Melbourne following a two-month long scouting trip through Europe, where the former Netherlands Assistant Coach held discussions across three different countries.
While the 46-year-old is hopeful he will be able to entice a number of visa players down under, van ‘t Schip remains committed to signing players who boast links to Victoria, making the team truly representative of the nation-s sporting capital.
“In recruiting players, we would like to sign players who the Victorian public can identify and are familiar with,” he said.
“There are many different factors and aspects which can influence this but in our mind, my preference is to bring players to the club who are linked to Victoria, and reflect the key values, we uphold on and off the park.”
However, van ‘t Schip admitted his dedication to advancing the cause of local talent wouldn-t reduce the scope of his search for a marquee player.
“I think with our marquee player, we are looking for someone who can help in bringing experience to the team, and work as an extra coach on the pitch,” he said.
“I think Robbie Fowler is a good example of the type of player who can be a success as a marquee player, and has done very well. I feel the people love to see the extra quality he still has, so a player of similar ability, is someone we would try to sign.”
