Mixed JDL and Girls JDL
FOOTBALL NSW

2025 Junior Development Program
Improving the Skills Acquisition Program

The Junior Development Leagues (JDL) will start in 2025, replacing the previous Skill Acquisition Program (SAP) and Girls Skill Acquisition Program (GSAP). The JDL will be split into two leagues: ‘Mixed JDL’ and ‘Girls JDL’.

The age groups in JDL will stay the same, and they will play football with some changes to the game, like modified field sizes, different player numbers, rules, and ball sizes. JDL players will be part of Football Australia’s Skill Acquisition Phase, which focuses on developing players' individual skills. Players’ progress will be measured by their involvement in the game, improvement in skills, mental focus, and enjoyment.

The goal of changing from SAP to JDL is to improve the program by focusing more on helping clubs grow and sharing the best ways to run programs. Football NSW and the clubs will hold each other accountable for this improvement, with the help of the new Club Standards & Benchmarking Framework introduced in 2024. The recommended philosophy, behaviors, and structures are in line with the Football Australia National Curriculum, focusing on four key skills:

Attacking and defending in 1v1 situations
First touch
Running with the ball
Passing and striking the ball

Clubs will be assessed at the end of each season and receive a score and a rating badge. These ratings will be published after the 2025 season.

For more information read the Club Standards and Benchmarking Framework 2025 at Football NSW.

JDL Benchmarking 2025

Junior Development League is an opportunity for young footballers to develop their tactical and technical skills under the guidance of professional coaches.

The football Junior Development League is a key element of Football NSW competitions, offering players diverse opportunities to participate in both Youth League and Senior National Premier League Programs. It provides the junior pathways for growth through organised competition, coaching, and talent scouting. Players can become involved in these programs via trials, coach recommendations, or strong performances in local leagues. Our goal is to nurture players at every level and assist them in achieving their highest potential in the sport.

The Start of a Football Journey

This is the age group acknowledged worldwide to be the optimal mental and physical phase in which children learn motor skills. This phase is fundamental to a players football journey. If you don’t attend primary school, you can’t attend high school.

Program Aim

Our JDL program is aimed at providing skill development to identified players, whilst delivering the technical ‘tools’ required to play the game at the highest possible level, with a focus on functional game skills, and an immediate skills transfer into positioning and small-sided games.

Focus

Our focus is split into two phases; the Foundation Phase and the Development Phase. Our players will be provided two to three weekly training sessions that will develop players individual technical ability and game appreciation as well as understanding.

Delivery

Our Club will deliver the best practice training environment and youth training plan available. Players will also be given the opportunity to test their skills weekly in a competitive environment, against the best young players in the state, although the matches should not be the focus for the Club, coaches or parents at this stage of the young players development.

Outcome

Our Club look to develop players for our boys and girls youth league teams in the future. The JDL program has proven to be the most successful way for us to nurture and develop our own players from the beginning. Not all players are going to play football at the highest level, but if you have a dream to do so this is the place and time to start.