Junior Development League (JDL) & Girls Junior Development League (GJDL)

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. In 2024 Northern Tigers were award a Silver benchmark for both the JDL & GJDL. This making up 2 of a total 8 silvers awarded across NSW for season 2024.

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.

Age Groups include:

Northern Tigers FC JDL - U9/U10/U11/U12

Northern Tigers FC GIRLS ONLY JDL- U10/U11/U12/U13

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.

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. 

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.

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).

Age GroupYear BornNT JDL SquadsNT Girls Only JDL
U92016*20 (16 boys + 4 girls)NA
U102015**24 (20 boys + 4 girls)14
U11201424 (20 boys + 4 girls)14
U12201324 (20 boys + 4 girls)14
U132012NA14

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.

* 2017 born players may be considered
** For Girls Only JDL 2016 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 – 9 v 9 game format
  • U13 – 10 v 10 game format

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.

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

 NT SAPNT Girls Only SAP
GamesSat or Sun (mainly Saturday)Sat or Sun (mainly Sunday)
Home Game LocationNTRANTRA
Home Kick Off Times*U9: 8:30am/9:30amU10: 8:30am/9:30amU11: 10:30am/11:30amU12: 10:30am/11:30amU10: 9amU11: 9amU12: 10amU13: 11am
Away Kick Off TimesDetermined by the opposition ClubDetermined by the opposition Club
Season Duration (Games)Pre-Season: Feb/MarSeason: Mar to AugPre-Season: Feb/MarSeason: Mar to Aug

*Subject to change

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.

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

*Subject to change by FNSW

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.

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