Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today released the season draw for the 2009/10 National Youth League (NYL).
This season sees an even stronger competition with 27 Rounds and 2 new teams with the addition of Gold Coast United and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). The draw also includes weekly double headers with ‘big brother- Hyundai A-League clubs. The season kicks-off on 11 September and continues throughout the festive season.
The opening round features four double headers, in Adelaide, Newcastle, Sydney and Perth.
FFA CEO, Ben Buckley, believes the NYL is an integral part of the Australian Football set-up.
“The establishment of the NYL into the Football Australia framework is a critical element of the evolution of football in this country.”
“Last year, the NYL, saw the development and growth of many talented young footballers resulting in a number of players taking the step up to the senior level,” said Buckley.
“This year, with the addition of two new teams including an AIS outfit, will see the standard and professionalism in Australia-s premier youth league developing further.”
In total, 22 players from NYL 2008/09 have earned professional contracts with Hyundai A-League clubs.
The extended nine team competition will end in a four team finals series and coincides with the final two weeks of the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
