Football West is excited to provide clubs and stakeholders with the information required to plan for the 2025 Youth Club Championship, Junior Development League and Junior Community League.
Each pathway is tailored to support specific club goals, from nurturing elite talent and club-wide growth to fostering local community participation.
Here is an in-depth look at each competition, the nomination process, timelines and requirements.
Youth Club Championship (YCC) – For Holistic Club Development
The YCC is designed for clubs focused on developing a positive culture and offering players structured development across multiple age groups. This competition accumulates points across teams in each club, creating an overall ranking that recognises consistent performance and club-wide commitment to high standards.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Single expression of interest form
Clubs submit one EOI for both Boys (U13-U16) and Girls (U14 & U16) competitions, covering the boys and girls YCC, if applicable.
Selection criteria
Clubs will be evaluated based on:
- Player development standards: Clubs must demonstrate structured pathways and youth-focused development
- Coaching quality: Clubs need to provide coach details, including qualifications and experience
- Club culture and resources: Football West seeks clubs that are committed to player support, community engagement and holistic development
KEY DATES
- EOIs open: 12PM, Friday 8 November 2024
- EOIs close: 5PM, Friday 22 November 2024
- Selections finalised: By the end of 2024
Please note that, submitting an EOI does not automatically guarantee entry, as Football West will assess each submission based on alignment with YCC criteria. Football West intends to declare selections by the end of 2024.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The final composition of the tournament will be determined by the total number of eligible clubs. For instance, with 24 clubs, teams will be organised into groups for a round-robin format, allowing each team several matches before moving on to later rounds. To maintain competitive balance, groups will be reshuffled to ensure teams of similar ability play each other. Currently, all teams are expected to play 6–8 matches throughout the tournament. This structure ensures a fair and competitive experience while remaining flexible to accommodate varying club participation levels.
Junior Development League (JDL) – Competitive, Performance-Focused Pathway
The JDL offers clubs a chance to enter individual teams in a structured, competitive environment that rewards performance and progression. The JDL operates a promotion and relegation system, with each team placed based on final standings from the previous season.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Club-specific expression of interest form: Clubs submit one form with an EOI for each team they wish to enter, indicating whether the team is new or returning, as well as 2024 league placement for returning teams. Multiple teams can be nominated across age groups. It will only be necessary to nominate teams that wish to be considered for the JDL competition.
Divisional placement process
- U14-U16 teams: Placement starts with the highest-ranked NPL teams from 2024, starting with NPL Division 1, and NPL Division 2, followed by Metro Divisions 1 and 2. The top 10 teams will form JDL Division 1, the next 10 Division 2, etc. Teams will need to meet the coaching criteria to be considered eligible. Example: a club’s U15 team that finished second in Division 2 in 2024 will rank 12th, with Division 1 teams ranked 1-10
- New teams: New teams can nominate for the JDL. Provided they meet the coaching criteria, teams without an age group from the previous year will automatically enter the lowest division. Football West intends to declare league placings by the end of 2024
U13 grading process
- All U13 teams will participate in an eight-game grading phase over four weekends. Based on grading outcomes, teams will be placed into divisions, with promotion/relegation of two teams per division after nine rounds
- Nominations for 2024 U12 teams, wishing to participate in the U13 grading process, will also be available via the nomination form
- Starting in 2026, U13 placements will also consider U12 results from the previous season
Promotion and relegation
- After the first nine games, the top two teams will move up a division and the bottom two will move down, creating a competitive and merit-based environment. This also allows new teams entering to more quickly find their appropriate level of competition
- Only one team per club is permitted in each division
Coaching requirements
- Boys – Divisions 1 & 2: Must have a C Diploma to be considered eligible
- Boys – Division 3 and below: Foundation of Football certificate, minimum (moving toward C Diploma for 2026)
- Girls – all divisions: Foundation of Football certificate, minimum (moving toward C Diploma for 2026)
KEY DATES
- EOIs open: 12PM, Friday 8 November 2024
- EOIs close: 5PM, Friday 22 November 2024
- Selections finalised: By the end of 2024
Junior Community League (JCL) – Focused on Local and Accessible Play
The JCL offers a welcoming environment for clubs aiming to provide a football experience for players prioritising fun and accessibility over competition intensity. The JCL is designed for community engagement, where travel is minimised and teams are organised locally. A Foundation of Football certificate is recommended for coaches.
Nominations for the JCL will open in early 2025 and follow the standard team nomination process.
Matchday Hub Hosting Opportunities
Football West is seeking clubs to serve as matchday hubs for YCC matches, helping to provide a positive matchday experience for players, referees, and fans. Hosting clubs must have adequate facilities to support the competition’s standards.
REQUIREMENTS
- Sufficient changerooms and seating capacity for players and spectators
- Adequate lighting for matches that may extend into the evening
- Gender-neutral spaces and dedicated referee areas to support inclusivity and professionalism
Clubs interested in hosting should indicate this in their EOI form for the Youth Club Championship.
Football West is thrilled to support WA clubs as they gear up for the 2025 season, offering tailored pathways to help every club thrive, whether focused on community engagement or high-performance development. For more details on the 2025 Junior Competition structure, including FAQs and additional information, CLICK HERE.
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly on (08) 6181 0700 or via email at info@footballwest.com.au.