A-league National Youth League

At the start of March 2008 FFA officials released details of a national youth competition, which will start in August 2008 and run alongside the next Hyundai A-League season. 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 (Australian Institute of Sport) program, the State sports institutes or the State football leagues.

Competition Details

Competition Format
The 7 clubs involved

Adelaide United

Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne Victory

Newcastle Jets

Perth Glory

Queensland Roar

Sydney FC

Season Format
21 rounds (18 games + 3 Byes)

Player Regulations

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

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).

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.

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