2013 was the inaugural year of the Regional Conference, initiated as an outcome of the FNSW Competitions Review to provide a development opportunity for aspiring footballers between grassroots football and the FNSW National Premier League Men’s competitions. In 2017 this was renamed the Association Youth League and is comprised of associations affiliated to Football NSW. The competition is for the age groups of U13, U14, U15, U16 and U18.
AYL players play competition matches every weekend from March to September.
AYL is adminstered by North West Sydney Football Association and complements Spirit FC’s Mixed Youth League teams in these age groups, with the aim to develop players for our NPL squads.
AYL players come from local NWSF clubs. The program delivers the following benefits:
- Local club players participate in a full-time, professional training environment, gaining experience that they can ultimately take back to the clubs, or to progress into Spirit FC/NPL programs
- NWS Spirit FC has the opportunity to observe and train potential representative grade players
- NWS Spirit FC has greater opportunity to work with new, qualified coaches, gaining experience that they can ultimately take back to the clubs, or to progress into Spirit FC/NPL programs
- All AYL players become qualified coaches and referees, servicing the local association
AYL players train three nights a week at Christie Park’s synthetic pitches. Additionally, players receive:
- Video analysis and team meeting sessions
- Strength and conditioning programs delivered weekly by qualified high performance staff
- Access to GPS units to enhance their athletic development
- Individual development plans to enhance their progress through the NWSF pathway
…and much more.
Our head coaches are qualified with, at a minimum, the FA B Licence and are supported by assistant coaches who have completed, at a minimum, the FA C Licence. They are supported by high performance staff in their delivery of training sessions.