With a surge in junior football participation, Football West initiated a comprehensive review to refine competition structures, player pathways and club standards across Western Australia.
Beginning with broad stakeholder engagement and guided by independent consultants, the review included workshops, surveys and feedback from parents, coaches, and associations.
Following an in-depth consultation, Football West has released key recommendations, setting the stage for strategic improvements by 2025.
Project Launch
Football West launched a review to address junior football’s growing needs, inviting all stakeholders to participate. Key areas included competition structures and pathways for metropolitan and regional players.
With more youngsters than ever playing football in WA, Football West invited all stakeholders to get involved and have their say in helping shape the sport going forward.
A Project Working Group was set up to conduct a series of consultation workshops and surveys with all stakeholders, including parents, coaches, club administrators and regional associations.
Initial Consultation
Stakeholders provided input through workshops and surveys, capturing feedback from parents, coaches, and associations to shape the review’s direction.
The comprehensive review covered all junior male and female competitions across WA and was undertaken to ensure that the state’s junior football structure aligns with best practice principles.
Recommendations
Following consultation, Football West introduced a new competition format, club criteria, and development pathways, with phased implementation by 2025.
Recommendations included:
- A uniform Junior Development League for both Junior Boys and Girls U13-U16 competitions. For boys, this will replace the current Junior NPL structure.
- The ability for teams in each age category to move up and down divisions via a promotion-and-relegation system.
- The introduction of a Junior Development Cup and a Junior Community Cup to replace the current Junior Cup tournaments.
- A focus on coach education and development across all competitions.
- A Junior Community League for teams and players who prefer to play local football, replacing the existing community junior leagues.
- Separate Boys and Girls Youth Club Championships open to clubs that meet youth development and whole-of-club criteria. The club-based competition will encompass additional matches for eligible clubs outside of the standard league season.
2025 Preparation and Implementation
Football West announced details for the 2025 Youth Club Championship, Junior Development League and Junior Community League in November 2024.
Each pathway is tailored to support specific club goals, from nurturing elite talent and club-wide growth to fostering local community participation.
Click below for an in-depth look at each competition, the nomination process, timelines and requirements.
2025 Expressions of Interest and Nominations NOW OPEN
EOIs for the 2025 Youth Club Championship (YCC) and Junior Development League (JDL) are now officially open. Submissions will be accepted from 12PM on Friday, 8 November 2024 until 5PM on Friday, 22 November 2024.
Clubs are encouraged to submit their EOIs during this period to secure consideration for participation.
This is an excellent opportunity for clubs to be part of Football West's leading junior competitions for the upcoming season.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the EOI process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that you may have questions about the new competition structure, fees, or requirements. Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help provide clarity. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we're here to assist with any additional questions you may have. Feel free to email your question to us at clubsupport@footballwest.com.au.
What was the purpose of the 2025 Junior Football Review?
To create a fair, inclusive and development-focused environment that enhances player development, provides clear pathways for progression and ensures accessibility for all participants across Western Australia.
What are the guiding principles behind the new competition structure?
Simplicity. This ensures the structure is easy to understand, implement and manage. The competition is designed to prioritise player development, accessibility, greater inclusivity and enforce minimum standards.
What outcomes are expected from the new competition structure?
The expected outcomes include improved player development, competitive balance (like-for-like competition), inclusivity, the enforcement of standards (eg quality coaching) and clear pathways for progression to higher levels of competition.
How was the new competition structure developed?
The project kicked off in early 2023 with a comprehensive review of the current junior framework for the under-13 to under-16 age groups. Following this, a robust consultation phase unfolded, involving a series of workshops and forums with Football West staff, key stakeholders, and club representatives. This collaborative effort culminated in a set of carefully considered recommendations, released in August 2024 and set to be implemented for the 2025 season.
What is the structure of the 2025 Regular Season League competition?
The regular season will consist of 10 teams per division, with 18 games per season. The competition is divided into two leagues: the Junior Development League (JDL) for competitive football and the Junior Community League (JCL) for community-focused football.
How are teams allocated to divisions in the regular season league?
They are allocated based on nominations, past performance and grading games. A mid-season refixturing process will adjust team placements to ensure competitive balance.
How does promotion and relegation work?
Promotion and relegation will occur within the JDL and JCL, with the top two teams in each division moving up and the bottom two moving down at the end of each season. Teams must meet specific coaching accreditation requirements to be eligible for promotion.
What is the Junior Development League (JDL)?
The JDL is the most competitive platform for junior football in WA, designed to nurture talent and prepare players for higher competition levels. It includes a structured league system with promotion and relegation.
What is the Junior Community League (JCL)?
The JCL caters to teams and players who prefer to play locally. It focuses on inclusivity, local engagement and participation, allowing clubs to field multiple teams within the same division.
How will the mid-season refixturing process work?
After nine rounds, the top two teams in each division will be promoted and the bottom two teams will be relegated to ensure competitive balance. This process will be reviewed for effectiveness and may continue in subsequent seasons.
Why has the league season been reduced to 18 games?
The structure is designed to be accessible to clubs of all sizes, taking into account the varying access to local government facilities and their availability. This format also allows room for additional competitions, such as the Youth Club Championship and Junior Cups, without overloading players and clubs, ensuring that everyone can participate fully without resource strain.
Why does the regular season have fewer matches compared to the Junior NPL?
To create a balanced and manageable schedule, reducing player burnout and maintaining high-quality competition. However, with the inclusion of the Youth Club Championship, cup matches, friendly games, school sports matches and representative team matches, players can expect to participate in excess of 30+ matches per season. This comprehensive approach ensures ample opportunities for both performance and development throughout the year.
What is the Youth Club Championship?
This is a club-based competition designed for clubs excelling in youth development. It provides additional competitive matches outside the regular season and rewards holistic player development and club culture.
What are the participation criteria for the Youth Club Championship?
Clubs must meet set criteria such as having a Technical Director with a B-Diploma accreditation, appointing a Member Protection Information Officer and meeting various other requirements related to player development and club operations.
How are teams and clubs recognised in the Youth Club Championship?
They are recognised based on aggregated points across teams and competitions. It is not just about performance, however. Bonuses or deductions are applied based on non-performance metrics, such as adherence to club culture, behaviour and development initiatives. The overall WA Youth Club Champion is recognised based on this comprehensive evaluation of both performance and non-performance factors.
How many games can a team expect in the Youth Club Championship?
Teams participating in the Youth Club Championship can expect to play approximately 8-10 additional games, supplementing the regular season and providing further development opportunities for players.
How has the Junior Cup format changed?
The previous Junior Cup format has been replaced by two separate competitions - the Junior Development Cup for JDL teams and the Junior Community Cup for JCL teams. This change aims to improve competitive balance and logistical efficiency.
Why are there separate cups for the JDL and JCL?
To ensure competitive balance and fairness. The JDL and JCL operate at different levels of competition and having distinct cup competitions helps to reduce the likelihood of lopsided matches and forfeits. This approach mirrors successful strategies used in senior leagues and ensures that teams compete against others of similar ability.
Will the Junior Top 4 Cup continue?
Yes, the Junior Top 4 Cup will continue in its current format for the Junior Community Leagues.
What fees are associated with participating in the new competition structure?
Clubs will need to pay team nomination fees for entry into leagues and cup competitions. A club nomination fee will apply for the Youth Club Championship. Football West is working to ensure these fees are fair, equitable, and affordable, with no substantial changes anticipated compared to 2024. Any adjustments will be communicated in advance, with finalised fees for 2025 expected by mid-December 2024.
Will the fees vary based on the division or league?
Football West is developing a financial model with a focus on ensuring they are fair, transparent, and affordable for all clubs. Any decisions on fee structures will be communicated to clubs well in advance, with finalised fees for 2025 expected by mid-December 2024.
How will the costs of coaching courses be managed?
Football West is committed to making coaching courses more accessible and affordable, supporting clubs as they work towards meeting accreditation requirements.
How does the new structure accommodate regional teams?
Football West is committed to working with regional associations and clubs to align their local competitions with the metro-based framework, enabling regional participation wherever possible.
Can regional teams participate in the Junior Development League?
Yes, regional teams that meet the necessary criteria can participate in the JDL.
What support is provided to regional clubs under the new structure?
Football West will collaborate with regional clubs to restructure their competitions and provide pathways for participation in the metro-based leagues.
Why was the Junior NPL abolished?
The Junior NPL was abolished to simplify the competition structure, promote inclusivity and create a more equitable and competitive environment. The new divisional structure replaces the NPL, ensuring that teams compete based on ability, enhancing player development, and allowing for greater flexibility and growth across all levels of junior football.
How will the transition from U12 to U13 be managed?
A grading phase will be introduced before the season starts to determine initial league placements, ensuring that teams are competing at the appropriate level from the start. From the 2026 season, Under 12s Coles MiniRoos positions will determine Under 13 league placements. It is highly recommended for clubs wishing to participate in the top two divisions that they have suitably placed Coles MiniRoos team in 2025.
What happens if a club cannot meet the coaching requirements mid-season?
If a club loses an accredited coach mid-season, Football West will work with the club to find a solution, potentially impacting the team's eligibility for promotion or participation in certain divisions.
How will Football West address the issue of team poaching by clubs?
While team poaching has been a historical issue, Football West will enforce regulations to minimise its impact, such as ensuring that teams and coaches adhere to the nomination and grading processes.
Will there be a cap on the number of teams a club can field in a division?
Clubs can field only one team per division in the JDL. Multiple teams per division are allowed in the JCL, ensuring fairness and inclusivity.
How will Football West ensure that the new structure remains aligned with the needs of the football community?
Ongoing consultation and review processes will be in place to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. This is to ensure the competition structure evolves in line with the needs and aspirations of players, clubs, and other stakeholders.