PS4NPL Growth Sees NYL Change
Words: Staff Writers
Image: Steven Gibson Photography/Brisbane Roar FC
An announced format change to the Foxtel National Youth League is a result of the growing role of PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues in elite youth development.
Football Federation Australia confirmed this week the Foxtel National Youth League season will be shortened following an extensive review of the elite player pathway with competing clubs and member federations
The Foxtel National Youth League season will now consist of 8 games per club, with teams now competing in two conferences of five teams each.
At present all nine Australian based Hyundai A-League clubs will field Youth teams in various PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues divisions in 2016 - resulting in a year round match program for Foxtel National Youth League teams.
Brisbane Roar Youth have competed in PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Men’s competition since 2014, working closely with Football Queensland to deliver National Training Centre programmes in conjunction with the Queensland Academy of Sport.
FFA’s Head of Hyundai A-League, Damien de Bohun, was excited to release the new competition format and draw for the Foxtel National Youth League after years of development.
“The move to change the format of the Foxtel National Youth League competition began in 2013 when FFA reviewed the competition structure which was finalised in July 2014. As part of this review, FFA obtained feedback from various stakeholders including Hyundai A-League Clubs, Member Federations and FFA’s National Performance and Technical Department,” said de Bohun.
“Throughout this consultation process a number of issues were identified regarding the current structure of the competition and its important role of player development. The participation of Foxtel National Youth League teams in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues was seen as providing Hyundai A-League Clubs with a more effective youth development framework, without the extensive travel requirements that were deemed to be counterproductive to youth development.”
“This initiative falls perfectly in line with the goals of the National Football Curriculum and also of our recently released Whole of Football Strategy Plan,” concluded de Bohun.
FFA Technical Director, Eric Abrams, also believes that the new Foxtel National Youth League format will be of great benefit to the players and clubs for years to come.
“The Foxtel National Youth League has been adapted for the upcoming season in line with the elite player development pathway as we all work together to produce quality footballers for the Hyundai A-League and the National teams.
“From next season all nine Australian Hyundai A-League clubs will have their youth teams will play in the relevant National Premier League competitions over the winter months against men and then come together for an abbreviated National Youth League season.”
“It is an exciting step forward for football in Australia as our talented youth players will be able to take part in a coordinated “year-long” program in a consistent environment that will help develop better players,” concluded Abrams.
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