DEVELOPMENT PATHWAYS
A THRIVING GAME | A THRIVING FOOTBALL COMMUNITY
YOUTH PLAYERS
(13-17 YEARS)
JUNIOR PLAYERS
(9-12 YEARS)
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
The NZF Talent Development Programme is an opportunity for clubs to be recognised when offering quality sessions to youth players (13 to 17 years old). The following clubs are currently running Talent Development Programmes:
Island Bay United
Lower Hutt City AFC
Miramar Rangers
North Wellington/Onslow Junior
Petone
Stop Out Sports Club
Upper Hutt City
Waikanae AFC
Waterside Karori
Wellington United
Western Suburbs
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Players within each of these environments receive regular training sessions, delivered by qualified coaches, with access to quality facilities. Players compete in the Capital Development Leagues which has recognised standards, and identification processes. These standards are driven nationwide to ensure a consistency of delivery meaning that the players receive a quality experience.
Player development is a continuous process and the Talent Development Programme is seeking to develop more better players over a longer period. Players will continue to receive consistent and quality sessions throughout the year. Capital Football actively works with each of the clubs to ensure that this is the case by going through an appraisal process.
Capital Football is focussed on actively helping clubs to reach these standards whilst recognising the benefits of Sport NZ’s Balance is Better initiative, focussing on maximising participation and skill development across sport.
YOUTH COMPETITION STRUCTURE 2021
Talent Development Programme clubs have access to Capital Development League competition to recognise the investment made in this area. All clubs have access to all other competitions. A basic explanation of this is as follows:
TIER 1 | Capital Development Leagues U13 U15 U17 |
TIER 2 | Capital Football League - A U13 U15 U17 |
TIER 3 | Capital Football League - B U13 U15 U17 |
Tier 4 | Capital Football Wellington Combined Competitions U13 U15 |
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUES
The purpose of the Capital Development Leagues is to provide a competition to develop talented domestic footballers, coaches and referees.
The guiding principles of the competition are:
Ideally one team environment for the player to help minimise player welfare issues
Training regularly with each other
Playing regularly against each other
Quality player development programme
FITTING IN TO THE NATIONAL TALENT PATHWAY
New Zealand Football is seeking to provide an aligned structure to meet the needs of players across all levels of the game. The talent pathway offers players who are showing potential additional football with a higher level of competition. The provision involves players being challenged appropriately in minimal environments, enhancing their opportunity of further development.
For more information on Talent Development Programmes, please contact Capital Football Federation Development Manager Steeve Sharpe at steeve@capitalfootball.org.nz
Capital Football, The Home Of Football, Bracken St, Petone, Lower Hutt,
Wellington, New Zealand, 5012
Postal Address: PO Box 33 283, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045
Email: comms@capitalfootball.org.nz
Phone: +64 4 586 5814