More than 500 of Australia’s best young soccer players have descended on Wollongong this week for the Football Australia National Youth Championships Boys’ Tournament. Photo: Football Australia.
More than 500 players from 32 youth football teams from around the country have descended on Wollongong for the Football Australia National Youth Championship Boys Tournament.
Football fans can see top-quality action on display all week at WIN Stadium, JJ Kelly Park and Ian McLennan Park.
The competition has long been an integral part of Football Australia’s talent identification program and provided an important stepping stone for many current Socceroos.
Head coach of the under 17s boys’ national team, Brad Maloney, said household names such as Harry Kewell, Rhyan Grant, Luke Wiltshire and Kai Rowles began their journeys through the national championship pathway.
“It’s the flagship youth event on the Australian football calendar and a good opportunity for young players to show what they’ve got,” he said.
“It’s great to see, especially for this age group because the pandemic interrupted two or three years where they missed out on a lot of football.
“It’s been great to see youth football back.”
National youth sides have shown strong performances recently, with the Joeys winning an age-group tournament in Indonesia in June and the Under 19s Socceroos are currently in Indonesia preparing for their own campaign.
“There’s a lot of activity; the Socceroos are going very well in the World Cup qualifiers,” Brad said.
“The Matildas did really well in the 2023 World Cup which we hosted and are off to the Paris Olympics this year.
“Football is really thriving in this country.”
The tournament culminates in finals matches on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July, with the best teams competing for the national title.
Brad said a trophy wasn’t all that was on the line.
“A lot of talent is on show and finals are big games,” he said.
“As a national team head coach for the Joeys it’s great for me to be here.
“It’s important to use these tournaments to identify young talent and for young players to start their journey and hopefully progress onto national teams and even represent for the Socceroos one day.”
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery welcomed all teams to the city.
“The National Youth Championships are an exciting pathways event that showcase Wollongong’s premier pitches and seaside stadium,” he said.
“It’s also a great opportunity for visitors to enjoy everything Wollongong has to offer.”
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