New Zealand Football is pleased to announce the draw for the 2018 National Youth League (NYL).

The competition, which mirrors the ISPS Handa Premiership with the national league clubs around New Zealand in a one round format, will be contested from 13 October to 16 December.

The 10 clubs include Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Waitakere United, Hamilton Wanderers, Hawke’s Bay United, Wellington Phoenix, Team Wellington, Tasman United, Canterbury United and Southern United in a nine round competition.

To view the 2018 National Youth League draw please click here 

Daniel Farrow, the Competitions and Events Director for New Zealand Football, said it’s encouraging to see the National Youth League continue to play a role in providing the country’s top youth talent with an opportunity to shine.

“The National Youth League is our pinnacle youth competition and over the past few years we’ve seen some fantastic young talent emerge from this competition," he said. 

Farrow said the NYL plays a critical part in preparing young footballers for the test of senior football and in particular the ISPS Handa Premiership.

“In 2017/2018, we saw a number of examples of young talented footballers step from the National Youth League and make an immediate impact in the ISPS Handa Premiership.

"We’re really pleased that, with the support of the participating clubs, we’ve been able to again design a youth schedule that mirrors the ISPS Handa Premiership to continue to enable clubs to integrate squads and ensure our developing young talent get first team opportunities.”

The National Youth League will open with the Wellington Phoenix hosting Hawkes Bay United at Fraser Park in Wellington on 13 October at the same time as Eastern Suburbs taking on Southern United at Michaels Avenue Reserve in Auckland.

Auckland City are the National Youth League defending champions after they defeated Tasman United 5-2 at Kiwitea Street in the final round of the competition in 2017.

The stage is set for the National Youth League to begin in October with young footballers all over New Zealand looking to be crowned national champions.

National Youth League
When: 13 October to 16 December
Who: Auckland City, Eastern Suburbs, Waitakere United, Hamilton Wanderers, Hawke’s Bay United, Wellington Phoenix, Team Wellington, Tasman United, Canterbury United and Southern United
For all information on the National Youth League please click here

Article added: Tuesday 11 September 2018