The Youth Framework for players aged 13-18, and is the link between junior and senior football. It provides a number of different playing environments and opportunities while further defining the talented player pathway.

Regardless of motivation or ability levels, players should enjoy a high-quality experience at all stages. The framework aims to meet the needs of all youth players, while ensuring they can move across the spectrum from community recreational football through to the talent excel pathway.

As you can see from the framework diagram, the Youth Framework offers programmes across all four pathways in order to cater for new, community and talented players alike.

The winter youth football season runs from the end of the school term 1 easter holidays to the end of august. With weekends off over the July school holidays.

For more information please look at our 2025 competitions calendar: https://www.capitalfootball.org.nz/more-info/competition-information-1/competition-calendars

INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

The NZF Talent Development Programme is an opportunity for clubs to be recognised when offering quality sessions to youth players (13 to 17 years old).

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Players within each of these environments receive regular training sessions, delivered by qualified coaches, with access to quality facilities. Players compete in the Capital Development Leagues which have recognised standards, and identification processes. These standards are driven nationwide to ensure consistency of delivery meaning that the players receive a quality experience.

Player development is a continuous process and the Talent Development Programme is seeking to develop better players over a longer period. Players will continue to receive consistent and quality sessions throughout the year. Capital Football actively works with each of the clubs to ensure that this is the case by going through an appraisal process.

Capital Football is focussed on actively helping clubs to reach these standards whilst recognising the benefits of Sport NZ’s Balance is Better initiative, focussing on maximising participation and skill development across sports.

YOUTH COMPETITION STRUCTURE

Talent Development Programme clubs have access to Capital Development League competitions to recognise the investment made in this area. All clubs have access to all other competitions. 

Vibrant and supportive clubs, fueled by the passion and commitment of volunteers, deliver social and competitive football opportunities for players, coaches, and referees of all ages.

For some, that experience at club level is a launch-pad to elite football and for others, it is simply a way to keep fit, have fun and belong to a community of like-minded people.

Here is a link to find a club near you: https://www.capitalfootball.org.nz/get-involved-1/clubs-2/find-a-club

If you have any questions or queries about joining club football, please contact connol@capitalfootball.org.nz

Yes, you can play for both school/college and club, and that decision is yours to make. If you do or don’t want to play both, that is completely fine. However, if you do chose to play both, you should work with your coaches to ensure that you are not over-training and getting appropriate rest and balance.

https://www.fit4football.co.nz/ : NZ’s dedicated football education and resource hub, designed to help you get the most out of yourself, and your players.

New Zealand Football’s Performance and Prevention team is here to provide you with what you need to best prepare, perform, and recover whilst managing injury and load effectively:​​​​​​​ https://www.fit4football.co.nz/category/players

Participants can play seniors from 16 years of age as a male and 15 years of age as a female. However, CF offers youth competition through until U17 mixed and U16 girls.

For some, that experience at club level is a launch-pad to elite football and for others, it is simply a way to keep fit, have fun and belong to a community of like-minded people.

Here is a link to find a club near you: https://www.capitalfootball.org.nz/get-involved-1/clubs-2/find-a-club

If you have any questions or queries about joining club football, please contact connol@capitalfootball.org.nz

Futsal goes across all four school terms for youth participants. For more information please visit: https://capitalfutsal.org.nz/junior-and-youth

Futsal is the only FIFA and NZ Football approved version of five-aside football and the world’s fastest growing indoor sport. The name futsal is derived from the Portuguese words futebol (football) and sala (hall). Futsal is a small-sided – 5v5 – game played with a smaller (size 3 or 4) low bounce ball, on a basketball sized court without rebound walls or nets. It is a game which combines fun, creativity, speed, technique, teamwork and quick thinking. NZF Futsal has been designed to complement New Zealand Football’s existing programmes and promote and improve participation in football in New Zealand.

In line with national growth the regional increase of popularity of Futsal in Wellington has been unprecedented. Player numbers could be best described as humble pre 2012 when Capital Football took over the management and delivery of the game. Playing numbers have increased 190% over the last 9 years as we have developed the game in the junior, youth and senior space.

Capital Football run Futsal out of three main venues across the wider Wellington region:

ĀKAU TANGI SPORTS CENTRE

WALTER NASH CENTRE

TE RAUPARAHA ARENA

CONTACT | If you have any questions about Futsal in the Capital, please get in touch with Toby Wilton (toby@capitalfootball.org.nz)

Balance is Better is an evidence-based philosophy to support quality sport experiences for all young people, regardless of ability, needs and motivations. It is about young people staying involved in sport for life and realising their potential at the right time.

The Balance is Better philosophy has been developed by the New Zealand sport system (e.g. sport organisations, leaders and administrators, schools, clubs, coaches, parents and volunteers) to support the culture change needed to provide quality sport opportunities for tamariki (5-11) and rangatahi (12-18). Sport NZ’s current focus is on rangatahi, given the decline we are seeing in teenage participation.

Balance is Better philosophy | Sport New Zealand - Ihi Aotearoa

Balance is Better - The Home of Youth Sport in New Zealand