Skip to content
Sutherland Sharks FC
MatchesBuy tickets

Play

Girls JDL – Junior Development League

The Girls Junior Development League is our elite programme for girls U10 to U13, and the first stage of the Sharks x SSFA girls’ and women’s pathway. It brings the same methodology, coaching standards and ambition as our Mixed JDL.

Ages
U10 to U13
Technical Director
Debbie Fisher
In partnership with
The SSFA
Selection
By trial, for Sutherland Shire residents
Register your interest

2027 trials are complete, and selected players have been contacted.

Three young Sharks players in sky blue running through a drill with a ball and cones, the clubhouse behind them

The video analysis room

Every team has scheduled video sessions in its weekly training programme, with positive clips as well as learning moments, all in each player’s Clubhouse account. A dedicated video analyst supports the coaches, so every session is of the highest quality.

Programme overview

The Girls JDL gives the Shire’s most promising young players an elite development environment from U10, following the same methodology, culture and coaching standards as our Mixed JDL programme.

The Sharks x SSFA partnership

From 2027, Sutherland Sharks FC will operationally manage a full girls and women's football pathway, in collaboration with the SSFA, from the Girls Junior Development League, Girls Youth League and Senior Representative Teams.

The partnership is designed to strengthen player development opportunities, increase investment in Girls and Women's football, and ensure the representative pathway continues to grow in the Shire. By combining SSFA's grassroots reach and community foundation with the Sharks' high-performance environment and facilities, we're building a pathway with real ambition for the future.

Under this united approach, the SSFA proudly holds the representative licence, while the Sharks operationally manage the programme.

Led by Debbie Fisher

Debbie Fisher leads the technical direction of our Girls JDL programme, working alongside Tom Sermanni, Charlotte Young and the rest of the football department.

Debbie brings over two decades of experience in girls’ and women’s football development. At Football Australia she was Pathways and Talent Development Manager, leading the national rollout of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, and before that Girls Youth Development Manager and U17 Women’s Team Manager, managing the Junior Matildas to a championship win at the ASEAN Football Federation U18 Women’s Championship.

Training and facilities

  1. Junior Development change rooms

    Dedicated, newly built change rooms on the northern side of the stadium, with modern showers and secure lockers.

  2. Pitch and lights

    An eco-friendly synthetic pitch and 300 LUX stadium lighting, so the squads train and play safely all year round.

  3. Video analysis

    The purpose-built video analysis room under the grandstand, and Clubhouse, our own platform for video, feedback for players and parents, and medical support.

Trials and selection

Players join the Girls JDL by trial, and all players must reside within the Sutherland Shire to be eligible. Our 2027 trials are complete, and selected players have been contacted.

Register your interest for future intakes to be the first to hear about trial dates, times and selection criteria.

Where it leads

From the Girls JDL, players progress to the Girls Youth League (U14 to U18) and on to the Senior Women’s programme, from U23 to First Grade.

The gym

The base of the club’s strength and conditioning programme, where our older JDL age groups begin their gym work.

A plan for every player

Every player has a development plan with their coach, approved by the programme’s Technical Director.

Clubhouse on a phone, playing on a loop: Isla rates their own game, sees Debbie’s view beside it, opens the goal they agreed and adds a moment from one of their filmed matches to it.

  1. Their own say

    Each player rates their own game first, corner by corner, then sees their coach’s view beside it.

  2. Two or three goals

    Player and coach agree the goals that matter most this block, and the coach’s notes stay in the plan.

  3. Clear on the pitch

    Every goal says what to do at training, what to do in a match, and why it matters.

  4. Proof on video

    Players add their own moments from filmed matches to a goal, and their coach replies. Families follow it all in Clubhouse.

How we develop players

Your child’s coaches

Who leads the programme, and who coaches alongside them.

FAQs

The partnership and vision

Are the Sharks programmes competing with or replacing the SSFA representative teams?

Not at all—we have joined forces. This programme is the result of a landmark strategic partnership between Sutherland Sharks FC and the Sutherland Shire Football Association (SSFA). Under this united approach, the SSFA proudly holds the representative licence, while the Sharks operationally manage the programme. Together, we are collaborating closely to deliver one definitive, elite pathway for female footballers in the Shire.

What are the benefits of having both male and female elite pathways under the one club?

By bringing both the men’s and women’s representative pathways together under the Sutherland Sharks FC banner, we are creating a true “One Club” environment. This unified approach allows us to pool our resources, knowledge, and high-performance expertise into a single, powerhouse football programme for the region. It ensures that all athletes, regardless of gender, benefit from the exact same elite culture, facilities, and developmental frameworks, allowing our male and female players to thrive and succeed side-by-side.

Why is this partnership so important for the region?

Historically, navigating the leap from local club football to elite representative levels could be complex. By aligning the SSFA’s fantastic grassroots strength with the Sharks' elite operational and high-performance infrastructure, we are creating a seamless, uninterrupted journey. We want Shire girls to dream of playing in the A-League Women and for the Matildas, without ever having to leave their community to get there.

Player development, facilities and equality

Will the girls and women’s teams have equal access to the elite facilities at Seymour Shaw?

Absolutely. Equality is a non-negotiable, foundational pillar of this partnership. All female squads will have equitable access to best-in-class facilities in line with what’s required for their training and development. We also offer newly built, high-performance female-friendly change rooms.

Will the programme focus solely on on-pitch football skills?

Elite football requires a holistic approach. Alongside advanced tactical and technical coaching, all youth and senior players receive dedicated strength and conditioning (S&C) and injury prevention programming, with a specific, critical focus on ACL prehabilitation, cycle-oriented training and intelligent load management. We also utilise bespoke club software to provide comprehensive player feedback and medical support.

Are the coaching standards the same as the boys and men’s programmes?

We hold all our staff to the exact same elite standards. The Girls and Women’s programme will be spearheaded by highly accredited, experienced coaches holding advanced Football Australia and AFC licences. We are heavily investing in quality technical staff to ensure all female players receive the premier football education in New South Wales.

The Academy

  1. 01Nursery

    Boys and girls

  2. 02Juniors

    Boys and girls

    Boys and men

    Girls and women

    • Girls JDLYou are here

  3. 03Youth

    Boys and men

    Girls and women

  4. 04Senior

    Boys and men

    Girls and women

Alongside the Academy