Football NSW announces Boys Youth Competition changes for 2026 and 2027 seasons
Throughout 2024, Football NSW undertook a thorough review into the Boys & Girls Youth Development system including the collection of data, consultation with members and a detailed review of international football bodies to determine the future direction of the talented player pathway in NSW.
This review was in alignment with Football NSW’s key strategic goal of ‘producing football talent’ and more specifically, to develop the most effective youth system of any state.
Stage One of the review incorporated research into recommendations made from key footballing bodies (e.g FIFA, AFC, Football Australia), objective competition reviews, significant data analysis and observations from Football NSW staff within the current system.
Stage Two involved a review of Football NSW delivered talented player support programs, collation of feedback from 23 membership and stakeholder meetings, along with 1,490 survey responses from players, parents, coaches and Clubs.
In August 2024, Football NSW announced changes within the Girls Youth League which can be found on Page 5 of the GYL Club Standards & Benchmarking information document.
With the process now concluded, the Football NSW Board has approved the following Competition and Technical changes for the 2026 – 2027 season for Boys Youth Competitions:
- Implementation of Club Standards & Benchmarking framework across Boys Youth League; adoption of a 2-year Licence period
- Removal of the Association Youth League (AYL).
- Conduct a detailed review into the Under 13 playing formats during the 2025 season
- No expansion of the Under 17 league within Boys Youth League
- Cease the delivery of the Country Cup. Announce the establishment of the Association Championships.
Detailed information and reasoning behind each decision is set out in the linked document found in the link below.
View – Boys Youth Competition & Technical Changes 2026 – 2027
Football NSW recommends review the Girls Youth League Club Standards & Benchmarking framework to gain a deeper understanding of the framework. A specific Boys Youth Club Standards & Benchmarking framework will be released at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
The purpose of these changes is to create an improved, player-centric youth development system that rewards and encourages clubs to prioritise decisions that are in the best interests of individual player development.
By fostering more robust, sustainable, and professionally run football programs within clubs, Football NSW can build a youth development system that helps ensure Australia remains competitive on the global stage, while also securing strong representation for NSW in our National Teams and in the National League.
