Sydney FC Technical Advisor Youth Kelly Cross will step away from the Sky Blues after almost 12 years of outstanding service to the Club.
Cross has made an extraordinary contribution to Sydney FC since joining in late 2014, having been entrusted with establishing the Club’s Academy from scratch, and developing it into one of the leading youth development programs in Australian football.
Alongside the outstanding contributions of Sydney FC’s highly talented coaching, performance, and football staff, the Academy has helped 70 players progress to professional football contracts with a significant number going on to represent Sydney FC at A-League level.
Socceroos and Australian youth internationals include Adrian Segecic, Hayden Matthews, Cameron Devlin, Patrick Yazbek, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Marco Tilio, Jake Hollman, Calem Nieuwenhof, Oscar Priestman, Corey Hollman, Cam Peupion, Ryan Teague, Jaiden Kucharski, Clayton Taylor, Tiago Quintal, Mathias Macallister, Gus Hoefsloot and Joe Lacey.
Many have since established successful careers overseas, while the Academy has continued to provide a pathway for the next generation of Sydney FC talent.
Cross said it had been a privilege to help build the Academy and watch it develop over more than a decade.
“It has been an enormous pleasure and privilege to serve Sydney FC over the past 12 years and I’m incredibly proud of what we have been able to build,” he said.
“When we started there were no players, coaches or Academy structure in place, so to see what it has become and, most importantly, to see so many young players progress into professional football has been hugely rewarding.
“I’ve particularly enjoyed working with so many talented young players and dedicated coaches and staff, and watching them develop and progress through the Club.
“In terms of coaches, the Academy has two key figures who I’ve been mentoring since May 2015: Jim van Weeren and Alex Watson.
“With these top youth development professionals at the club, and a group of inspirational coaches working with them, I feel confident that the Academy’s future is in safe hands.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Sydney FC who has supported the Academy during my time here. I leave with some fantastic memories and enormous pride in what we have achieved together, and I wish the Club and all of its young players every success for the future.”
Cross will now focus on his role as a Senior High Performance Specialist in FIFA’s Global Football Development Division, implementing the Talent Development Scheme under the leadership of Arsène Wenger.
Sydney FC Executive Vice-Chairman Sebastian Gray paid tribute to Cross’ contribution to the Sky Blues.
“On behalf of everyone at Sydney FC, I would like to sincerely thank Kelly for his outstanding service, commitment and dedication over the past twelve years,” Gray said.
“Kelly has played an enormous role in creating and developing an Academy which has become an integral part of Sydney FC and has produced a remarkable number of professional footballers.
“His influence goes far beyond the players who have progressed to our first team. He has helped establish a football philosophy, development environment and standards which have provided strong foundations for the Club’s future.
“While Kelly’s departure marks the end of a very successful chapter, it also provides us with an opportunity to review the next evolution of our Academy structure.
“We want to build upon the strong foundations Kelly has established and further strengthen the connection between our Academy and first team as we continue to evolve Sydney FC’s player development pathway.”
Sydney FC will now begin a review of its Academy and youth development structure ahead of the next phase of the Club’s player development strategy.
