Overview

The Junior Development League (JDL) & Girls Junior Development League (GJDL) program at Northern Tigers FC provides a clear football development program for young footballers within the NSFA.

The Northern Tigers player development model is supported by the JDL & GJDL squads.

The program has a 40-week schedule and a set curriculum that is intended to give the participants the knowledge and abilities they need to perform at a high level. However, the young players’ own attitude, behaviour, discipline, and determination are equally as important as the on-field management.

In 2026 Northern Tigers FC will operate one mixed FNSW JDL licence and one Girls Only JDL licence.

The player identification and selection process for the 2026 season is conducted over a number of months in 2025, replacing the ‘one off trial day’ process. This is more consistent with our philosophy of long-term player development. Some of the issues with the ‘one off trial day’:

1. Players can miss attending the trial day due to sickness, injury, holiday, other sport commitments, not aware they are on.
2. Players unfamiliar with the process of a selection trial may become nervous, conservative, and not perform to their potential in a one-off trial scenario.
3. Due to the volume of players attending the trials and the limited time to conduct the trial, the process does not allow for a thorough assessment of a player’s potential.
4. The assessment of players can only be limited to technical skills, important attributes related to attitude and the capability to develop in the long term are difficult to assess.
5. The process can be stressful for players and parents.

2026 JDL Selection Process

• Players must reside within the Northern Suburbs Football Association boundaries, or play for a NSFA member Club/program to be considered for selection.
• The process will stretch over a number of months in 2025 – observation of more players, multiple times, in different environments, from different sources.
• Gaining input from a number of different stakeholders including NSFA Clubs – to reach more players and provide a more holistic assessment of each player.
• Take into consideration as many players as possible born in the eligible age groups.

Players are identified and assessed in a number of different ways throughout the 2025 season:

1. Existing JDL/GJDL players are continually monitored and reviewed during the season.
2. Northern Tigers Development Squad players are continually monitored and reviewed during the entire season.
3. We invite NSFA Clubs to identify and recommend potentially talented players.
4. Players are observed playing in the NSFA community competitions.
5. Players identified at XLR8 programs.
6. Players can submit an expression of interest via the Northern Tigers website to seek a trial opportunity.
7. Players identified/recommended/EOI may be invited to train with existing JDL/GJDL players in the JDL/GJDL environment or attend separate trial sessions.

Selection Process Timeline for 2026

Refer to the JDL FAQ’s for more detailed information on Northern Tigers JDL.

• Code-of-Conduct-2024-Player
• Code-of-Conduct-2024-Parent
• Refund-Policy-2024

Questions?

Please direct all questions by email to: northerntigers@nsfa.asn.au

What Is JDL?

The Junior Development League (JDL) is the highest football development league within NSW and is for talented and committed players wanting to take the first step on the representative player pathway. JDL is the start of the FNSW/FA official pathway for players. JDL teams can be made up of both boys and girls (where the majority of players are boys), and there is a Girls Only JDL option.

Consistent with the skill acquisition phase of the FA National Curriculum the focus is on core skill development. This technical development will provide the foundation for players to later progress into Northern Tigers FC Youth League teams and beyond.

In addition to regular training sessions, players will be able to display their skills against other JDL Clubs from the metro area and outer Sydney areas in a season of scheduled non-competition games and gala days.

What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Represent JDL And Girls JDL?

Players must reside within the “North” of the Sydney Metro area as per FNSW regulations. The “North” zone is made up of the following Football Associations, NSFA, Manly Warringah, North West Sydney, Central Coast. Proof of residential address will be required when selected. Please note this is a FNSW regulation. Northern Tigers however, opt to restrict this further and are only looking for NSFA members to be part of the Northern Tigers JDL teams. 

Should Girls Play In Mixed JDL Or Girls Only?

Girls have a choice to be considered for both the mixed and Girls Only programs. Each individual’s preference is considered, along with coach recommendations, in consultation with parents.

Can A Child Register To Play For A Local Club Team And SAP At The Same Time During 2025?

No. Players are not permitted to be dual registered for a local team and any Club participating in the Football NSW JDL (this is a Football NSW and FA regulation).

How Many Teams And Players Will Be Selected In Each JDL Licence In 2026?

NB: The player numbers above are the maximum squad sizes; these do not have to be achieved if it is deemed the potential player quality does not justify selection.

* 2018 born players may be considered
** For Girls Only JDL 2017 born players may be considered

NT JDL:

• Dedicated NT JDL Technical Director
• Two coaches are allocated per age group
• On game day there are 2 teams in each age group
• Each age group trains as one squad, with the squad split into 2 teams of similar ability for the weekend games (players are rotated between the teams over the season)
• U9 – 7 v 7 game format
• U10/U11/U12 – 9 v 9 game format

NT Girls Only JDL:

• Dedicated NT Girls JDL Technical Director
• One coach is allocated per age group
• 1 team in each age group
• U10/U11/U12/U13 – 9 v 9 game format

When, Where And What Time Are The Training Sessions?

JDL train at NTRA on Mon/Tues and Charles Bean on Thursdays. Start time 5pm.

GJDL train at NTRA on Tues/Thur/Fri. Start time either 5pm or 6.15pm.

When, Where And What Time Are The Games?

The game schedule with dates/times for the entire season is typically released by FNSW in December.

*Subject to change

Who Are The JDL Coaches And What Experience/Qualifications Do They Have?

The NT Technical Director (Jason Eagar) has overseen JDL since the commencement of the program in 2013; holds an FFA A Licence, Masters in Sports Coaching and is an Advanced C Licence Presenter. All JDL coaches hold the minimum level of qualification as required by FNSW along with a Working with Children Check. Goalkeeper specific training is also provided.

What Are The Player Fees For JDL?

The player registration fee is $1,672 incl GST.*

*Subject to change by FNSW

Can You Trial/Play An Age Group Up?

All new players are considered initially for selection in their own age group unless specifically advised otherwise by the NT Technical Director.  Assessments will be made by the coaching staff to determine if it is in the player’s best interest to play up (or down) an age group.

What Are The Player Development Options For Players Not Selected Into A JDL Squad?

Identify a local NSFA club with a commitment to player development, this should include a commitment to coaching standards (including but not limited to coach accreditation standards, supporting the FA National Curriculum in terms of playing style and age specific training content).

NSFA Association JDL licenced Clubs will provide the development environment detailed above including competitive games in the NSFA JDL League – NSFA SAP League Info – Click Here

Northern Tigers run Development Squads for U8 up to U13 age groups; players will be selected to join these training squads. Training will be Monday and/or Friday at Charles Bean (Friday only) and NTRA. For more information on the Development Squads – Development Squad Info – Click Here

Additional curriculum based professional training can be obtained via the NSFA XLR8 player development programs – XLR8 Info – Click Here