With at least two rounds down for all teams in the Northern and Central Leagues of the new National League competition, youth is leading the way. 

The 27 league games played so far have featured 145 players born from 2001 onwards, well in excess of the two players aged 20 or under each of the 22 clubs in the Northern and Central leagues have to feature as part of the competition regulations. 

78 players have featured in at least 50% of minutes played by their club with 30 players playing every minute of every match so far. 

The numbers are a marked change from the ISPS Handa Premiership where, excluding the Wellington Phoenix development side, only 6% of minutes were from players under 20 in the 2019/20 campaign. 

So far games have featured: 

30 players born in 2001
54 players born in 2002
33 players born in 2003
20 players born in 2004
8 players born in 2005 

“It’s a huge change but a very positive one for football in this country” says Danny Hay, All Whites and Men’s U-23 Head Coach. 

“We know we have a talented generation of players coming through and hopefully they now have the opportunity to show it at the highest level in the new National League”.

Article added: Saturday 10 April 2021