National Men's Youth League Poised For Kick-Off
Lion Foundation National Men's Youth League Poised For Kick-Off
A revamped Lion Foundation National Men’s Youth League is poised for a big kick-off this weekend as nine teams prepare for action in an expanded and improved competition.
New Zealand Football Competitions Manager Glyn Taylor believes the competition will see youth development flourish at National League level.
“The National Men’s Youth League is vital to the continued development of the New Zealand Football Championship with a growing number of our best young players advancing to senior ranks in recent times.
Players such as Daniel Morgan of Auckland City played in the National Youth League last season – this season he got a chance at the FIFA Club World Cup and played a vital role in his team’s win over TP Mazembe.
Others like Tim Myers have firmly established themselves at Waitakere United. Already all eight NZFC franchises have fielded players that have emerged from the National Youth League ranks,” Taylor said.
The competition returns to the format of two seasons ago and features all eight NZFC franchises along with a team representing Auckland-Manukau.
Further changes will be implemented from season 2010-11 and include an increase in the number of youth development players in NZFC squads to a minimum of five (currently four) and at least two youth players will be included in any NZFC match day squad. It will also be permitted for up to two overage players to play for their club’s National Youth League side on any given match day.
To bring the youth league in line with two-yearly FIFA World Cup cycles, the age limit (currently U-19) will alternate between seasons and be linked to eligibility for the next FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The National Men’s Youth League will consist of a five team Northern Conference and a four team Southern Conference. Teams play each other in a league format on a home and away basis. The top two teams from the Northern Conference will play the top two teams from the Southern Conference in two semi-finals.
The first placed team in the Northern region will play the second placed team in the Southern region. The first placed team in the Southern region will play second in the Northern region. The semi-finals are scheduled for Sunday April 4, 2010. The winners advance to the National Men’s Youth League Grand Final scheduled for Sunday April 11, 2010.
The Northern Conference kicks off on January 24, 2010, with Waikato FC hosting Auckland-Manukau – the only non-franchise team participating – at Centennial Park, Ngaruawahia. Young Waikato FC will be keen to improve on their senior’s NZFC performance to date but will up against an Auckland-Manukau outfit eager to prove themselves.
Last season’s runners-up, Waitakere United entertain Hawke’s Bay United at Fred Taylor Park in Whenuapai. Waitakere has watched a raft of young talent like Dakota Lucas and Zane Sole advance to their senior ranks and make an impression in the NZFC and O-League. Defending champions Auckland City receive a bye.
The Southern Conference gets underway on February 21, 2010, with a fascinating showdown between Otago United and YoungHeart Manawatu at Carisbrook. Meanwhile, Team Wellington faces off against Canterbury United at Newtown Park in the afternoon match.
Please remember to acknowledge the support of the Lion Foundation and visit www.nzfc.co.nz for full previews, reviews and live in-game updates from all NZFC matches.
Northern Conference
24 Jan Waitakere United v. Hawke’s Bay United - Fred Taylor Park 11.00am
24 Jan Waikato FC v Auckland-Manukau - Centennial Park 10.00am
*Auckland City Bye
Southern Conference
21 Feb Team Wellington v. Canterbury United Newtown Park 2.00pm
21 Feb Otago United v. YoungHeart Manawatu Carisbrook 10.00am
SEASON FIXTURES
For more details contact:
GLYN TAYLOR
NZFC Manager
New Zealand Football
09-414 0175
021 671 799
glyn.taylor@nzfootball.co.nz
JAMIE SCOTT
Media Manager
New Zealand Football
09 414 0184
021 662 856
jamie.scott@nzfootball.co.nz
The Auckland City Football Club Youth Academy team consists of 24 players and, will strive to emulate last years National Youth League team in winning the competition.
The 24 man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Ernest Wong (Eastern Suburbs), Josh Fsadni (Central Utd)
Defenders: Kris Carpenter (Central Utd), Adam Thomas (Central Utd), Nick Branch (Central Utd), Jacob Hall (Central Utd),
Josh Morrison (Central Utd), Nikko Boxall (Central Utd), Thomas Doyle (Central Utd)
MIdfielders: Daniel Morgan (East Coast Bays), Aaron Bawdekar (Metro AFC), Ryan Martin (Central Utd), Daniel Saric (Central Utd),
Michael Freeman (Central Utd), Haidar Jabir (Onehunga Mangere), Dean Lausev (Central Utd), Tim Payne (Waitakere City)
Forwards: Rory Kelly (Central Utd), Jacob Matthews (Three Kings Utd), Thomas Spragg (Central Utd), Mikhail Bredeveldt (Central Utd),
James Hoyt (Central Utd), Dale Bennetto (Central Utd), Simon King (Central Utd)
Within the squad there are 3 players who were recent members of the history making NZ U17 Team who played at the U17 FIFA World Cup in Nigeria where,
Adam Thomas, Josh Morrison and Thomas Spragg played all 4 games at the tournament.
There is also a great nucleus of the 2009 winning team who return in 2010. Kris Carpenter, Nick Branch, Jacob Hall, Thomas Doyle, Daniel Morgan, Daniel Saric,
Michael Freeman, Rory Kelly, Mikhail Bredeveldt, James Hoyt and Dale Bennetto are all back to help retain the title.
The 2010 NZFC National Youth League is shaping up to be a very tough competition, with some of the countries best youth players showcasing their talents.
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