The brand new National League started back in March and aims to prioritise youth development and sustainability. 

With 10 rounds played in the Central League, and 11 in the Northern League, we thought we’d take a look at which players aged 20 or younger have played the most minutes so far this campaign. 


Top 10 players under 20, by minutes played, in the Northern League

1. Zac Zoricich (28/10/2002) 989 minutes played

18-year-old Western Springs defender Zac Zoricich has played every minute of every game bar one so far this season for the 7^th place side. 


2. Kingsley Sinclair (25/02/2001) 970 minutes played

20-year-old Auckland United attacker Kingsley Sinclair has appeared in every game so far this season, scoring five goals. 


3. Jackson Woods (31/12/2001) 929 minutes played

Birkenhead United’s 19-year-old defender has completed 90 minutes in all but one of their 11 games. 


4. Joel Clissold (07/03/2002) 900 minutes played

The versatile 19-year-old has completed the full 90 minutes in all 10 of Eastern Suburbs games, playing in defence and midfield.


5. Aiden Iqbal (07/09/2002) 874 minutes played 
 

Credit: Photosport

18-year-old Iqbal has started all but one of Western Springs 11 games, playing the full 90 minutes in all but one of them. 


6. Campbell Brown (08/02/2003) 871 minutes played

Melville United’s 18-year-old defender started the first two games on the bench but has been ever present in the starting lineup from week three, playing the full 90 in every subsequent round.


7. Owen Comber (09/08/2001) 865 minutes played

The 19-year-old midfielder has been a regular for Hamilton Wanderers this season, playing in every game so far. 


8. Malcolm Young (26/2/2001) 851 minutes played

Northern Rovers’ 20-year-old midfielder has played in every game this season, scoring once in the side’s 2:2 draw with North Shore United.


9. Max Drake (06/09/2002) 846 minutes played

The 18-year-old West Coast Rangers right-back has played every game bar one this season, playing the full 90 in eight of those games. 


10. Callum Lowe (26/02/2001) 837 minutes played

Manukau United’s 20-year-old midfielder has had a great debut season with the South Auckland side, playing in every game. 


Top 10 players under 20, by minutes played, in the Central League


1. Alex Paulsen (04/07/2002) 900 minutes played

It is easy to forget that the Lower Hutt City goalkeeper, and ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership MVP, is only 18-years-old. A stellar season with Wellington Phoenix Reserves saw Paulsen called up to train with the full squad, along with played every minute of every game in the Central League. 


1. Kurtis Mogg (09/05/2001) 900 minutes played

Another ever present is 20-year-old defender Kurtis Mogg, with the Lower Hutt City captain playing every minute of every game so far this season. 


1. Oscar Mason (16/08/2004) 900 minutes played

Napier City Rovers’ goalkeeper is just 16-years-old but has played the full 90 minutes in every one of his sides games this season.


1. Ethan Claridge (23/08/2002) 900 minutes played

Another young goalkeeper is Petone FC’s 18-year-old Ethan Claridge who has played every minute of the Lower Hutt side’s season.


1. Scott Morris (24/02/2001) 900 minutes played

Wairarapa United’s 20-year-old keeper has played every possible minute this season, with the former Hawke’s Bay United stopper keeping two clean sheets. 


1. Kees Sims (27/03/2003) 900 minutes played

18-year-old Western Suburbs goalkeeper is another ever present between the posts, playing every minute of every game. 


1. Robert Sabo (19/06/2002) 900 minutes played

Western Suburbs 18-year-old defender has played every possible minute for the fourth placed side. 


2. Noah Tipene-Clegg (31/01/2001) 888 minutes played

The 20-year-old North Wellington midfielder has played the full 90 in all but one game, scoring once. 


3. George Ott (22/10/2001) 880 minutes played 

The 19-year-old Lower Hutt City forward has had a great season so far, scoring 11 goals in 10 games, and playing the full 90 minutes in all but one game. 


4. Jonty Roubos (13/09/2002) 862 minutes played

Wairarapa United’s 18-year-old midfielder has played all but 27 minutes so far this season, scoring 6 goals for the 5^th placed side.


Article added: Thursday 10 June 2021