Junior Development Leagues

The age groups within JDL remain consistent and compete within modified playing formats of traditional football including modified field size, player numbers, rules and ball sizes. Players within the JDL fit within Football Australia’s Skill Acquisition Phase within the player development pathway. The Skill Acquisition Phase focuses on individual player development and performance is assessed on player involvement, technical advancement, mental engagement and enjoyment of the game.

The implementation of the JDL from SAP aims to create a line in the sand whereby Football NSW’s approach to the program evolves towards a stronger focus on Club capability building, the sharing of best practice program elements and the accountability of Clubs and Football NSW to each other. This will be achieved through the implementation of the Club Standards & Benchmarking Framework, which was first introduced during the 2024 season.

The Club Standards & Benchmarking Framework is the Football NSW benchmarking, quality assurance and club support process to provide better services for our players, coaches and Clubs across the state. The Club Standards focus on youth development committed clubs by understanding their Planning, Delivery and anticipated Outcomes.

Club will be accountable to the football criteria and deliverables within the 2025 Junior Development Leagues Information guidelines.

Club Standards and Benchmarking Framework 2025

The philosophy, behaviours and structures recommended are consistent to the Football Australia National Curriculum, and centre on the four (4) core skills, being:

• 1 v 1 Attacking and Defending
• First touch
• Running with the ball
• Passing / striking the ball

Clubs will be evaluated each season and awarded an assessment score and rating badge. Club ratings intend to be released at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

BOUNDARIES

2025 JDL Licensees will only be permitted to register players from their allocated ‘JDL Player Boundary’ as outlined below. This constraint has changed from the ‘State Titles Boundary’ method that previously existed and is outdated since the dissolution of the State Titles in 2018.

In order to determine a new boundary distinction for player recruitment, an analysis of various methods was undertaken using participation numbers and current JDL Licence holders to calculate which method would be most reasonable and fair to all Clubs.

2025 JDL licensees will only be permitted to register players from the JDL Player Boundary in which the Licensee’s home ground is located. The following model will be implemented from season 2025: