‘Pathway’ gets used a lot in football, but it’s not always clearly defined. It can suggest a single path, or a ladder to climb rung by rung until you reach the top. 
In a club setting, ‘pathway’ is often used to talk about having playing options available at all age groups within the club, ie progressing from a junior through to youth to senior. It’s not always the same thing as a ‘talent pathway’, which might involve changing clubs or being involved in multiple environments as a player develops.

Development is closer to a set of stepping stones, and everyone’s path is slightly different. Players pick their way toward their own goals, at their own pace, through different environments.

In football, when we are talking about ‘environments’, we typically mean clubs, schools, academies/private coaching, and for some, high performance setups. Players move between them at different times and different speeds, and even within one club, environments can vary widely. A social U14s team might train once a week. A competitive U14s team at the same club might train three or four times a week, with far higher expectations on attendance and effort. 

When we talk about a talent pathway, we’re talking about those youth who have aspirations to play at a high level: in the National League, in NZF age group teams, for New Zealand, or professionally one day. It’s worth noting that very few players in the ‘talent pathway’ reach their goals: internationally, around 0.05% or 1 in 2,000 registered football players are professional. 

Even a player who does everything right (training consistently, seeking feedback, choosing challenge, working hard over time) has no guarantee of going on to play high level football. 

For those who do, the pathways vary. Three recent examples from the region show how different these journeys can look.

Luke Brooke-Smith: junior and federation youth football with Cambridge, senior men's football with Hamilton Wanderers in the NRFL Premiership, then Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand Under 16s, the All Whites at seventeen, and now Portsmouth in England.

George Green: junior football with Taupo AFC, school football at Taupō-Nui-a-Tia College, senior men's football with Taupo AFC in the Southern Conference, then Western Suburbs and the National League at eighteen.

Lily Brazendale: junior football with Hillcrest United, youth football with Hamilton Wanderers, RH3 Academy and Hillcrest High School, senior women's football with Hamilton Wanderers, then Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand Under 19s.
Three different routes to a similar standard, and none of them followed the same steps in the same order.

It really depends on a number of factors, including the age and motivation of your child, and where you are located.

In junior football (up to and including 13th grade, which roughly aligns to Year 8), there is no formal ‘talent’ stream. New Zealand Football (NZF) recognises that all children develop on a different timeline, and recommends that all opportunities are available to all kids. This means no selection based on perceived ability. It doesn't mean these opportunities have to be free of charge.

Your child’s pathway is going to be unique to them, and as their parent, you are the best one to guide them. 

At younger ages, the best thing you can do is get your child touches on the ball. Some clubs run extra skills sessions for keen players. If yours does, take it up. As your child gets older, and if the motivation is still there, a club that offers the Talent Development Programme (TDP) is ideally the next step. 

NZF's Talent Development Programme (TDP) is designed to develop talented players within clubs. It has been New Zealand Football's formal talent pathway since 2021, when it replaced a more regional model, the Federation Talent Centres. 

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/talent

The programme, for players aged 13 to 17, is run by clubs across the country in alignment with NZF, and has three core objectives:

1.    Produce better footballers in Aotearoa New Zealand by increasing the number and quality of training opportunities.

2.    Provide clear training guidelines based on international best practice for youth footballers who are showing potential to play at a higher level.

3.    Create a clear aspirational pathway for youth footballers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Entry into TDP programmes is generally by invitation, selection or trial. Contact the club directly to find out how they select players.

WaiBOP clubs accredited to deliver the TDP in 2027 are:

Mixed
Cambridge FC (Cambridge)
Hamilton Wanderers (Hamilton)
Melville United (Hamilton)
Northern United (Hamilton)
Otumoetai FC (Tauranga)
FC Tauranga Moana (Tauranga)

Girls
Melville United (Hamilton)
Te Ara Wāhine / FC Tauranga Moana (Tauranga)

TDP accreditation means a club has met NZF’s standards for coaching, training and player pathways.

The accreditation standards are set by NZF, and criteria include:

• Coaches must hold specified coaching qualifications (eg C Licence as a minimum for each team head coach)
• Minimum requirements for the number of training sessions and coach-player ratios
• A clear player pathway, meaning they have a team per age group (U13, U14, U15 and U17 for boys, and U14 and U16 for girls) so players can progress 
• The playing philosophy and curriculum delivered must follow an approved standard

A club can hold accreditation for Mixed or Girls, or both. 

The accreditation process has a preliminary year, during which WaiBOP Federation Development Officers are involved to help clubs ensure they meet all the criteria.

WaiBOP clubs with TDP accreditation are able to enter the Lotto NRFL Youth leagues, a competition that includes clubs from Northern Region Football (NRF).

In 2026, there were 18 clubs involved in the Mixed leagues: U14, U15 and U17.

Clubs also have the option of playing in the WaiBOP Federation Y-leagues (Federation Development Leagues), if that is the appropriate level to support their players’ development. 

No. Many ambitious and talented young players want to join TDP clubs, to train and play with and against others of similar ability. 

But it's not a viable option for every talented player in our region. Outside Hamilton, Cambridge and Tauranga, travel and time are barriers.

If a TDP club isn't an option, look for a club environment with a committed group, a motivated coach and regular training sessions. 

Some youth prefer to stay playing with friends, and don’t want to change clubs. Be guided by your child. An environment your child enjoys is probably going to be the best choice.

If you’re thinking about switching to a TDP club when your player gets to U14, be aware that the number of spots available can be limited by the homegrown rule. 

In the NRFL Youth leagues, the homegrown rule means clubs must have a minimum of 12 homegrown players in their squad. A homegrown player is one who has been registered with that specific club (or an approved memorandum of understanding [MOU] partner school/club) for two or more consecutive seasons. 

Some kids thrive in this environment. TDP clubs tend to offer more training sessions per week, and sessions go for longer. The overall standard of play is often higher than non TDP clubs. 

Coaches are experienced, and have completed high level coaching courses. Many clubs will employ coaches who have played at a high level themselves. 

Training follows a structured curriculum set by NZF, and clubs use video to help players review their games.

TDP is more expensive than community football.

TDP clubs operate a much longer season, often February to November, with trainings 2-3 nights a week, plus weekly games during the season. The 2026 Boys NRFL Youth league was a 22 game season.

Fees at clubs in our region range from around $700 to $1,500 a year, working out to beween $15-$30 a week for 2-3 training sessions and a game. 

Some other regions fees can be more than $3,000.

Fees cover team competition (league) entry fees, NZF membership fees, player federation membership fees, pitches and line marking, floodlighting, TDP-required video hardware and software, coaching accreditation, and coaches’ time. 

Fees don't usually cover uniforms, travel, after-match food or optional extra tournaments.

Some clubs offer payment plans or hardship support for families who find fees a barrier. Ask the club directly, and in confidence.

Most TDP clubs select players for the next season towards the end of the year, often in October and November.

Many clubs hold open trials, but each club runs its own process, so check club websites and social media from around September, or contact the club directly.

2027 Trials are listed here

Not being selected at 13 or 14 isn't the end of the road.

Players develop at different rates, and some players who miss out early go on to play at a high level. Francis de Vries missed out on regional representative teams in Christchurch, but went on to play for the All Whites and Auckland FC.

If possible, ask the club for feedback on what to work on. Clubs may not always be able to offer individual feedback. 

Keep playing in the best environment you can, and try again next year if your child is still keen.

Look for a club environment with a committed group, a motivated coach and good training.

Above all, keep it enjoyable. Players who still love the game at 16 are the ones who keep improving.

It depends on the club and the programme. In community football, feedback is usually informal and comes from a volunteer coach.

Some TDP clubs offer more structured feedback, like individual development plans, one-on-one reviews and video analysis of games. Ask about this when you're looking at clubs.

Whatever the environment, encourage your child to ask their coach for feedback themselves. Learning to ask "what can I work on?" is a skill that will help them at every level.

The only academy in New Zealand attached to a professional club is the Wellington Phoenix Academy. The academy starts at U14, entry is by invitation, and it comes with a cost. Players must be based in Wellington. The Phoenix have a formal partnership with New Zealand Football aligned with FIFA's Talent Development Scheme to bridge the gap between regional club pathways and professional A-League football.

Auckland FC has a programme, called a Development Centre, where they work directly with all clubs in the NRF and WaiBOP regions who have TDP accreditation, and periodically invite selected players to be involved in training and games, while still staying with their clubs.

Many clubs use the word ‘academy’ in their youth space, often to differentiate community or social players from those who are more committed to additional training.

Outside clubs, it is a word or term used loosely by private operators offering extra coaching.

Private coaches or private academies can be a useful addition for some players, alongside club football, but they sit outside New Zealand Football's official pathway. 

There is no regulation around the use of the word ‘academy’. Check what qualifications and experience the coaches have, and if the academy is linked to a club. 

For most youth players, the NZF TDP should be considered the main talent pathway. 

While NZF recommends that most junior players play in their own age group, in some cases, clubs may ask players to ‘play up’. This might be training in an older age group, or both training and playing games with them.

Football development is not just technical skills. There is physical maturity (size, speed and strength), football IQ, technical ability on the ball, and social and emotional maturity. A player may be ready to play up in one of these areas, but not others.

In TDP environments, clubs can move players between age groups when they see benefits for a player’s development. For example, a U14 player might train sometimes with the U15 group to work on their physicality. 

Playing up can suit some players, but not all.

If your child is asked to play up, talk to the coach about why, and what it means for their development.

Tours and tournaments arranged through clubs, schools or federations are a normal part of development for older youth players. They can be a fantastic experience for players, helping them grow mentally and emotionally, as well as on the ball. If it’s something that your family can afford, go for it. They are, however, just one part of overall player development. 

Remember that many organisations offering overseas tours and football trials are businesses, and their main purpose is to make money. We strongly recommend that you don’t put your family into financial strain to send your child on a tour or trial. 

New Zealand's players' association has dealt with cases of people posing as agents or scouts, offering trials at overseas clubs in exchange for money to cover flights or fees. In one case, a man contacted an Auckland club player online claiming to be a FIFA-accredited agent who could arrange a European trial, and asked for $5,000 to cover flights and his own costs. He turned out to be using a stolen identity and was targeting players in several countries. Police and Interpol were involved before he was caught.

Legitimate clubs and agents do not ask players or their families for money up front. If your child is approached this way, especially through social media, verify the person and the offer before anything is paid or signed.

In junior and youth football, we recommend that you look at the environment more than the league table. A player's development depends on coaching quality, the skill level of the training group, how often they train, the level of challenge, and the day to day culture around learning and team support. Game day matters, but for an ambitious young player it is only one slice of a week's football.

If your child trains in more than one environment, such as school and club, look at how the two might complement each other. It might be a practical decision, like who trains on what night! Different coaches with different philosophies, and different demands on a player's time and body, can work against each other rather than together.

A player in a strong environment can develop faster than a more talented player in a weak one. That is why some players travel from a rural town to train in a TDP club, trading time and money for a higher standard training group. Others choose to stay close to home, where they have far less travel. There is no single right answer. Every family must weigh up what works for them.

For coaches, ask what qualifications they hold: New Zealand Football's pathway runs from entry level courses through to the C, B and A Licences. It is also worth asking about coach-player ratios, training frequency, and the club's approach to safeguarding, including police vetting for anyone working with young players.

Most importantly, if you can, spend some time observing. Coaches have different styles of communication and not all styles work for all kids. Get a feel for the way the coaches talk to their players, and how that suits your child. 

Football is the world's most popular sport, with an estimated 250 million registered players. FIFA, the worldwide governing body, recognises over 130,000 professional players, in more than 4,000 clubs, in more than 200 pro leagues around the world.* 

Only a fraction of pro footballers around the world (and certainly none in New Zealand) enjoy the multi-millionaire incomes, luxurious mansions, and flashy cars that we see on social media. It's a career that is known for short contracts, frequent moves, and a relatively short time span.

Why mention this? Because the desire to play and love of the game need to come from the player.

*FIFA Professional Football Report 2019 https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/a59132e138824c1c/original/jlr5corccbsef4n4brde.pdf​​​​​​​

The NZF age group team selection process is constantly evolving, as the football landscape changes, and the technology advances make monitoring players around the world much easier.

NZF works with Federations, TDP clubs, and both the Wellington Phoenix Academy and Auckland FC’s Development Centre, runs Identification games, as well as monitoring some overseas-based players.

The Director of Football at TDP clubs, and Federation Development Managers can nominate players they think should be looked at through a form to New Zealand Football which stores a player database.

National coaches will then seek further information on players. This might be watching game footage through a platform like HUDL, inviting players to Identification (ID) games, follow up conversations with clubs or federations or attending league games or tournaments to observe.

Players who stand out are invited to regional ID games, National Id games or identification camps before squads are named. The best thing your child can do is play in the strongest environment available to them, and keep improving.

Squads often include New Zealand-eligible players based overseas, and this selection is usually done via reviewing game footage online.

NZF age group teams are:

Girls

U15 (U15 World Cup)
U16 / U17 (OFC qualifiers, then U17 World Cup)
U19 / U20 (OFC qualifiers, then U20 World Cup)

Boys
​​​​​​​
U15 (U15 World Cup)
U16 / U17 (OFC qualifiers, then U17 World Cup)
U19 / U20 (OFC qualifiers, then U20 World Cup)
U23 (Olympic Games)
​​​​​​​

Grades are based on the calendar year your child was born, not their school year. The grade number is the age your child turns during that year. For example, in 2027, a child born in 2014 plays 13th grade (U13), even if they don't turn 13 until December.

This means that children in the same school class can end up in different age groups, and children in the same team can be almost a year apart in age. Your child's registered date of birth becomes part of New Zealand Football's official record, so make sure it's correct.
​​​​​​

Yes, and many do. In some regions, high schools run their own leagues, and in some areas and age groups this creates clashes between school and club.

If your child plays for both, sometimes it can help to talk to both coaches early in the season about training load, game days and priorities. Look at how the two might complement each other. It might be a practical decision, like who trains on what night. Too many sessions can lead to fatigue and injury, so aim for a balance that includes rest.

New Zealand Secondary Schools (NZSS) runs national tournaments during tournament week, and selects representative teams that tour overseas. These tours are self funded.​​​​​​

Yes. Girls can play in mixed teams or in girls' teams, and many do both at different ages.

In our region, Melville United and Te Ara Wāhine/FC Tauranga Moana hold girls' TDP accreditation, with teams at U14 and U16. 

Futsal is played indoors, five a side, on a hard court with a smaller, heavier ball. It's fast, and players get far more touches and decisions than in an outdoor game, which makes it great for developing technical skills and football IQ.

Many top players credit futsal with shaping their game, and some TDP clubs include futsal as part of their programme. It can be a good way to keep playing over summer, when the outdoor season is finished.

Some coaches prefer that their players don't play futsal.

Goalkeeping is a specialist position, and keepers need specialist coaching. TDP clubs must have qualified goalkeeping coaches as part of their accreditation, so keepers in TDP get regular position-specific training.

Keepers often develop later than outfield players, and many play their best football in their twenties. If your child wants to be a keeper, encourage them to keep playing outfield too, especially at younger ages. It builds their footwork and understanding of the game, and today's keepers are expected to play with their feet.

More isn't always better. Young players are still growing, and too much training without enough rest can lead to injury, burnout, and losing their love for the game.

At 11 to 12 years old, NZF recommends no more than three formal training sessions a week, plus a game day. Individual ball work and pick up games can sit on top of this.

As players get older, the load increases, but it’s important to build in rest days. Watch for signs your child is doing too much, like ongoing tiredness, niggling injuries, or not wanting to go to training.

If your child plays for more than one team, such as school and club, or plays more than one sport, talk to the coaches about the total load across the week.

Sport NZ's Balance is Better approach can be helpful for parents. 

Players can usually move clubs between seasons. Moving during a season will depend on when it is. Leagues like the NRFL have registration deadlines to be able to play in league games.

Time on the ball. Most coaches will tell you there is no substitute for touches on the ball. As well as formal training, find other ways to play, like games with friends at the park or small sided games at school. Kids learn most by playing: touching the ball and making decisions. 

Play other sports. For younger players, many coaches recommend playing other sports. Athletic ability, movement and hand-eye co-ordination come from playing a variety of sports and activities. Once a player gets to around 15 or 16 years old, the focus may narrow, but before this, encourage them to get involved in other sports.

Trust the process. Development is not linear, and sometimes you need to go backwards to go forwards. Playing out of position, playing with the weaker foot, or learning new skills can make a player look like they're ‘getting worse’ in the short term. 

Encourage reflection. After training or a game, it can help some players to think about three things: What did I do well? What did I not do well? What did I learn? Players who can spot their own areas to improve keep learning.

Don't compare your player to others. Kids develop at different stages, and comparing your child to other kids is not helpful for anyone.

Get out of the way. Drive them to games and practices, and be supportive, but let the coaches be the coaches. Sideline coaching, just like coaching in the car to and from a game, doesn't help your player learn to make their own decisions. And football is a game of constant decision making.

At the end of the day, the desire and passion to succeed must come from within.