Launched in June 2007 and focused on bringing the best practice in grassroots football development to Australia, the FDA AC Milan Academy calls Parramatta Stadium and Sydney Olympic Park home.

The academy offers juniors the chance to develop in one of the most advanced football programs in the world.

The aim is to develop players technically, tactically, physically and psychologically as if they were based in Milan.

The performance of each player in the academy is measured and submitted to Italy for assessment and comparison with other elite players around the world.

Earlier this year, the 2008 Australian AC Milan Academy team travelled to Italy and played in the AC Milan Friendship Cup.

The Australian team overcame challenges from teams from Mexico, Egypt, Costa Rica, the USA, Canada and Italy to win the tournament.

"For the past year these players have worked very hard at the AC Milan Academy in Sydney improving their technical aspects of the game as individuals and as a team," FDA director Cormac Begley said.

"The AC Milan Friendship Cup was a wonderful opportunity for them to express themselves as footballers in an international environment and learn to cope with the pressures of tournament football."

The AC Milan Academy is open to male elite players born between 1996 and 2001 and to be able to attend, players need to go through a selection process. Trials for the 2009 AC Milan Academy program will commence in September 2008.

For more information go to www.footballdevelopment.com.au, phone FDA on 02 9024 5122 or email the player's name, date of birth, current club and position to info@footballdevelopment.com.au.