New junior format takes shape with start of Youth Club Championship
Football West’s new-look junior football structure takes shape this weekend with the start of the inaugural Youth Club Championship.
The YCC is designed for clubs excelling in youth development and provides eight additional competitive matches outside the regular season.
The Boys YCC covers U14s, U15s and U16s while the Girls YCC is for U14s and U16s.
The Boys YCC is split into four groups per age category, with the teams in the Girls YCC playing in a single group. Teams will advance to a finals phase after the group stage is complete.
The clubs accepted for the YCC are:
BOYS
- Armadale
- Balcatta Etna
- Bayswater City
- Cockburn City
- Floreat Athena
- Football West Academy
- Forrestfield United
- Fremantle City
- Inglewood United
- Joondalup City
- Joondalup United
- Mindarie
- Murdoch University Melville
- Olympic Kingsway
- Perth RedStar
- Perth SC
- Rockingham City
- Sorrento FC
- South West Phoenix
- Subiaco
- Stirling Macedonia
GIRLS
- Balcatta Etna
- Fremantle City
- Perth RedStar
- Perth SC
- Sorrento FC
- Subiaco
- UWA Nedlands
Carramar Shamrock Rovers will compete as a guest club in the Girls YCC U14s after receiving a wildcard entry.
The decision rounds out the Girls U14s competition and acknowledges the club's ambition to join the YCC as full-fledged participants in future seasons.
Football West General Manager – Football David Lewis said: “The start of the Youth Club Championship is an important step for football in WA as we work with our clubs to create the best environment for young players.
“Positive player development and behaviour underpin the principles of the new format and we are delighted clubs have got behind it.
“The new junior football structure comes after two years of consultation and workshops with clubs, associations and the public, and we are naturally excited to get it up and running.
“We will review the format at the end of the campaign, but we are confident that with the support of clubs, players and parents, this will be a positive addition to the season calendar.”
THE YOUTH CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
What is the Youth Club Championship?
This is a club-based competition designed for clubs who excel in youth development. It provides eight additional competitive matches outside the regular season and rewards holistic player development and club culture. The extra fixtures supplement the regular season and provide further development opportunities for players.
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 on a ‘whole-of-club’ basis. Bonus points and point deductions can be applied on non-performance metrics.
Extra points can be awarded for positive behaviour in club education and development as well as player education and welfare. Clubs risk losing points if they come up short in areas such as failing to maintain competition integrity, sideline behaviour issues and poor discipline.
The overall WA YCC is recognised based on this comprehensive evaluation of both performance and non-performance factors.
The YCC Competition Rules can be found HERE.