National Youth League

[kevrenor]

National Youth League

FFA Media Alert
Tuesday 4 March 2008

Football the sport of choice for young players

Football Federation Australia (FFA) will announce details tomorrow of
the new National Youth League competition, which will offer
unprecedented playing career opportunities for talented young sportsmen.

FFA Chief Executive Officer  Ben Buckley and FFA Technical Director Rob
Baan will be available for questions and interviews at the conclusion of
the announcement.

What:  Announcement of details regarding National Youth League
Competition
Who:  FFA Chief Executive Officer Ben Buckley and FFA Technical
Director Rob Baan 
When: 1:00 pm AEDT - Wednesday 5 March  2008

 

[Jesus]

GREAT News!! Cant wait

 

[Tassiemariner]

I look forward to this alot. Should be exciting and another great step in australia's footballing future.

 

[midfielder]

Great..........put a bit more pressure on the AFl as well as create a much better league.

 

[kevrenor]

FFA Media Release
Wednesday 5 March 2008

FOOTBALL THE SPORT OF CHOICE
National Youth League to start in August

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has moved to secure the future of talented young players with the introduction of a National Youth League in conjunction with the next Hyundai A-League season.

"The establishment of a national youth league competition was identified as a priority in the National Football Development Plan we released last November," said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.

"This competition is particularly important because, for the first time, talented young players will have an opportunity to play regular, quality competitive games regardless of whether they are part of the AIS program, the State sports institutes or the State football leagues.

"There is also a clear link with the Hyundai A-League, as well as the various national teams in football at Under 17, Under 20, Under 23 levels, as well as the Qantas Socceroos.

"If you're a young, talented male athlete, football should be your sport of choice as it offers fantastic opportunities within Australia as well as unparalleled opportunities to wear the green and gold representing
Australia on the global stage," Buckley said.

The national youth league will comprise seven teams, with each of the current Australian Hyundai A-League teams also having a youth team. This linkage is very similar to development models used throughout
European and English football competitions.

"The key to improving the technical skills, proficiency and tactical maturity of players is playing games - and as many games as possible,"National Technical Director of FFA, Rob Baan, said.

"The new national youth league competition will provide players aged between 16-21 years of age a clear pathway from youth leagues to senior level and then on to professional level.  When combined with existing
State-based competitions, players in the national youth league will play between 35-40 games each year.

"For Australia to improve its competitiveness in world football at all levels, our players must be playing competitive matches against quality opponents during this critical development period for young, elite
sportsmen," Baan said.

The integration with the AIS programs means that the best 16-17 year olds will not only be recruited to the AIS on scholarship, but also be offered contracts by Hyundai A-League youth teams.  State Institute players will be used on a replacement roster when required.

Baan describe the national youth league as being of "paramount importance" to the future technical development of football players in Australia.

Buckley added that the National Youth League competition will assist in the current and future development of Hyundai A-League clubs also.

Each of the current seven Australian Hyundai A-League clubs will field youth teams and play 21 rounds (18 Matches + 3 Byes) in line with the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 season draw.  These matches will be scheduled
as either curtain-raisers to Hyundai A-League fixtures or the day after, depending on the preference of the club.

- ENDS -

National Youth League - Competition Details

Competition Format

* 7 clubs
o        Adelaide United
o        Central Coast Mariners
o        Melbourne Victory
o        Newcastle Jets
o        Perth Glory
o        Queensland Roar
o        Sydney FC

* Season: 21 rounds (18 games + 3 Byes)

* National Youth League to commence August 2008

* Age 16 - 21 (must be 16 on 1 January in year the Youth League
commences), maximum age is 21; must be no older than 20 on 1 January in
the year Youth League commences

* 15 Players on the team sheet.

* Each Youth Player must receive a minimum of 30 minutes game time

* 4 over-age players (including Goal Keeper) allowed to play in
Youth League Match

National Youth League Player Regulations

* 10 - 12  Youth Development Players per club

* Youth Development Players will sign a Youth Development
Agreement which is of amateur status

* Minimum  agreement period- 1 season

* Maximum  agreement  period - 2 years

* Hyundai A-League Clubs can select any player within the age
group, must be Australian (or in the process of obtaining citizenship)
and can be from the AIS

* Hyundai A-League clubs must draw replacement players from the
Youth League Player Squad, except under certain circumstances

Coaches

* Each nominated Youth Head Coach should t hold a minimum of a
Football Federation Australia -  B Coaching License (or acknowledged
equivalent).  For more details go to http://coaching.footballaustralia.com.au/

Referees

* Match Officials for National Youth League matches will be drawn
from an elite panel of referees which have been identified for future
Hyundai A-League appointments.

 

[serious14]

F*ckin' WICKED!!!!

;D ;D ;D

 

[Jesus]

looks good. Glad they changed their mind on having the match after
But surely before, not next day? If was next day you would assume they would head to smaller stadiums, eg pluim?

 

[FFC Mariner]

4 over age players is great too - match practice for reserves.

Sensible. I assume the FFA had othing to do with it??

 

[FFC Mariner]

ps - I found the flaw.

Match Officials for National Youth League matches will be drawn
from an elite panel of referees which have been identified for future
Hyundai A-League appointments

 

[Lightning.]

this is the best news i have heard in a long while.

i can really see Version 4 of HAL to take off, especially now with the National Youth League.

there is only one way for football in Australia now, and that up 

 

[kevrenor]

looks good. Glad they changed their mind on having the match after
But surely before, not next day? If was next day you would assume they would head to smaller stadiums, eg pluim?

I'm assuming there will be some more fine tuning, or this media release touches on the main points.  A problem as we see it so far is that Sunday games would have to be played before the main game (ie. earlier in more heat) or next day would be Monday.

 

[kevrenor]

From 4-4-2
http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/71444,baan-its-not-about-winning.aspx

AUSTRALIA technical director Rob Baan says the new national youth A-League is not about win/loss ratios it's about developing better players for Australia's football future.
As you can see from the name, it's a youth league not a reserve league, Baan said today at the official announcement of the league for August 2008.

That that already makes clear what our philosophy is. So youth development is the main focus as an example, each player on the list must play a minimum of 30 minutes instead of maybe nothing. It's not all about winning it's about developing players."

The FFA will hold meetings with the youth league coaches about style of play they'd like to see in the lead up to the league kick off.

The seven team competition (Wellington Phoenix is not involved) is likely to be played as either curtain-raisers to A-League matches or at a different venue. There will only be one finals matches between the top two sides.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley added that the FFA will bear the financial brunt of the competition (around $1.5 million) with A-League clubs expecting to contribute a smaller amount to the running of their teams of around $170,000 to $300,000.

Each club has the availability to pull in their own sponsors over the time and the FFA is currently seeking a naming rights sponsor to offset the costs of running the competition.

The players will be on a minimum payment which is expected to be less than the minimum wage (around $30,000) for an A-League player although up to four senior A-League players can play in each side.

As for broadcasting the league, Buckley added: It's not intended for the games to be broadcast but as the competition grows over time there may be an opportunity but we're not going into it with the intention that these games need to be televised as a broader entertainment package.

These games are about identifying the best youth players in Australia and making sure they have a competition of high calibre.

Buckley added that if any new expansion clubs wanted a youth league team the FFA would support that but we haven't insisted on it.

It's also planned that the A-League teams may also play in certain state leagues during the winter and/or individual players will play state league football to further their football education.

Asked about the type of football he'd like to see in the new national youth A-League Baan joked: As you know, I'm from the Dutch mafia so we have a certain way we like to play. We like to build up from the back and we'll try to implement that.

 

[Omni]

That's LOSER talk, it's so about Results, CCM for NYL 2008-09!

Greenpole: I actually think the development panel would be better than the current A & B panel, just quietly.

 

[Andy]

* Hyundai A-League clubs must draw replacement players from the
Youth League Player Squad, except under certain circumstances

Would this put an end to the player replacement rule?

 

[mariners4ever]

looks like it

 

[kevrenor]

* Hyundai A-League clubs must draw replacement players from the
Youth League Player Squad, except under certain circumstances

Would this put an end to the player replacement rule?

Except in the "certain circumstances" (whatever they are). 

 

[adz]

* Hyundai A-League clubs must draw replacement players from the
Youth League Player Squad, except under certain circumstances

Would this put an end to the player replacement rule?

Except in the "certain circumstances" (whatever they are). 

When Sydney FC wants someone from outside their youth squad would be one

 

[kevrenor]

* Hyundai A-League clubs must draw replacement players from the
Youth League Player Squad, except under certain circumstances

Would this put an end to the player replacement rule?

Except in the "certain circumstances" (whatever they are). 

When Sydney FC wants someone from outside their youth squad would be one

You read my mind

 

[Kareem]

An idea?
It seems no matter what ie. if we slowly move up to a 10,12 or even 14 team league we will still have an odd number of teams in Australia (unless 2 of the A-league teams are in NZ).
My idea is...how about making a team in the youth league for the AIS?
That would be awesome in my opinion...unless ofcourse the FFA is secretely (which i dont mind) trying to cut out the AIS and have all Australian youngsters brough up through clubs?
What is everyone's thoughts?

 

[Jesus]

That was their original plan. But it came under critisism because AIS players would then be only playing against players the same age. It was deemed necessary for them to play older players, and hence to remain in the VPL i believe.

As a result, the AIS players will play in all a-league youth teams, but will return to the AIS after the season, presumably to play in the VPL.

The AIS was not going to be able to afford to play in both comps i believe, or unwilling.

Personally I think it would be fair enough to have the nixs in there. Will just allow their a-league team to do more consistent. To leave them out seems absurd when having them in the a-league. Like saying, we will take your money, but not help you grow.