Football West is inviting expressions of interest from clubs for the new Junior Development League and Youth Club Championship.
Please note: Clubs wanting to compete in the Youth Club Championship must also complete the Junior Development League Team Nomination form.
JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE (JDL)
The JDL allows clubs to enter individual teams in a structured, competitive environment that rewards performance and progression. The JDL operates a promotion and relegation system, with each team placed based on final standings from the previous season. The JDL in essence replaces the Junior NPL structure.
Clubs submit one EOI form for each team they wish to enter.
Divisional placement process:
U14-U16 teams
Placement starts with the highest-ranked NPL teams from 2024, starting with NPL Division 1, and NPL Division 2, followed by Metro Divisions 1 and 2. The top 10
teams will form JDL Division 1, the next 10 Division 2, etc. Teams will need to meet the coaching criteria to be considered eligible. Example: a club’s U15 team that finished second in Division 2 in 2024 will rank 12th, with Division 1 teams ranked 1-10
New teams
New teams can nominate for the JDL. Provided they meet the coaching criteria, teams without an age group from the previous year will automatically enter the
lowest division. Football West intends to declare league placings by the end of 2024.
U13 grading process
All U13 teams will participate in an eight-game grading phase over four weekends. Based on grading outcomes, teams will be placed into divisions, with promotion/relegation of two teams per division after nine rounds.
Coaching requirements:
Boys
Divisions 1 & 2 must have a C Diploma to be considered eligible
Division 3 and below must have a minimum Foundation of Football certificate (moving toward C Diploma for 2026)
Girls
All divisions must have a minimum Foundation of Football certificate (moving toward C Diploma for 2026)
KEY DATES
EOIs open: 12pm, Friday 8 November 2024
EOIs close: 5pm, Friday 22 November 2024
Selections finalised: By the end of 2024
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YOUTH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP (YCC)
The YCC is designed for clubs focused on developing a positive culture and offering players structured development across multiple age groups. This competition accumulates points across teams in each club, creating an overall ranking that recognises consistent performance and club-wide commitment to high standards.
Clubs submit one EOI only for both Boys (U13-U16) and Girls (U14 & U16).
Clubs will be evaluated based on:
- Player development standards: Clubs must demonstrate structured pathways and youth-focused development
- Coaching quality: Clubs need to provide coach details, including qualifications and experience
- Club culture and resources: Football West seeks clubs that are committed to player support, community engagement and holistic development
KEY DATES
EOIs open: 12pm, Friday 8 November 2024
EOIs close: 5pm, Friday 22 November 2024
Selections finalised: By the end of 2024
Please note that, submitting an EOI does not automatically guarantee entry, as Football West will assess each submission based on alignment with YCC criteria. Football West intends to declare selections by the end of 2024.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The final composition of the tournament will be determined by the total number of eligible clubs. For instance, with 24 clubs, teams will be organised into groups for a round-robin format, allowing each team several matches before moving on to later rounds. To maintain competitive balance, groups will be reshuffled to ensure teams of similar ability play each other. Currently, all teams are expected to play 6–8 matches throughout the tournament. This structure ensures a fair and competitive experience while remaining flexible to accommodate varying club participation levels.