New Zealand’s top U-17 boys’ team will be decided this weekend as the inaugural Youth National League reaches its conclusion.
Eight teams from the three regional leagues will play a finals tournament over three days, starting on Friday October 14.
Main photo: The Tauranga squad head for their flight to Wellington for the weekend tournament. Photo: Tauranga City AFC.
The teams are:
- Auckland United
- Birkenhead United
- Cashmere Technical
- Nomads United
- North Wellington/Onslow
- Tauranga City
- Wellington Phoenix Academy
- Western Suburbs
Games will be played at the recently-opened New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport (NZCIS) in Wellington.
NZCIS’ YouTube Channel will stream the games here >>>>
Fixtures
Click here for schedule of tournament fixtures >>>>
Games to be played on Friday October 14, 2022
Quarter-finals
Western Suburbs v Birkenhead United
NZCIS Pitch 2, 12.30pm
Cashmere Technical v North Wellington/Onslow
NZCIS Pitch 3, 12.30pm
Tauranga City v Wellington Phoenix Academy
NZCIS Pitch 2, 3.30pm
Nomads United v Auckland United
NZCIS Pitch 3, 3.30pm
About the Youth National League
The boys Youth National League is a competition for players under 17 that mirrors the men’s National League.
Teams compete in three regional leagues (Northern League, Central League and Southern League) with the top sides qualifying for the Youth National League finals series.
New Zealand Football Talent Pathway Manager, and men’s U-17 head coach Martin Bullock says:
“It has been great to give some of our best U-17 talent the opportunity to play a significant number of quality games in this competition as that is going to be the best thing for their development.
“I’m excited to see the level of competition on display over the next three days as we discover out who will win the first boy’s Youth National League title.”
The boy’s and girl’s Youth National League competitions, supported with funding through partners New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) and FIFA, were launched this season to replace the previous week-long National Age Group Tournament following feedback from participants.
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