Auckland FC and New Zealand Football have signed a new partnership agreement to help guide young players from amateur level, through to the A-Leagues and potentially even higher levels.
Backed by FIFA, the agreement brings Auckland FC in line with New Zealand Football’s High Performance and Talent Development Plan, helping to grow the next generation of Kiwi players while also recognising and rewarding local clubs for the work they do in developing talent.
Under both national and international rules, clubs that help develop professional players are financially rewarded through things like transfer fee solidarity payments, FIFA World Cup bonuses, and national training compensation.
Since 2022, community clubs across Aotearoa New Zealand have received over $1.5 million NZD (1.384 million AUD) for their role in developing talented players—support that helps them continue their important work.
With the All Whites now qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Ford Football Ferns regularly competing at Women’s World Cups, these payments are expected to grow even more in the years ahead.
This new partnership, which builds on a similar agreement with Wellington Phoenix, is part of FIFA’s global Talent Development Scheme.
The goal is to make sure New Zealand’s top talent has a clear and accessible pathway into professional football, while ensuring strong collaboration between pro clubs, New Zealand Football, and grassroots organisations across the country.
New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell believes that bringing the national body and both pro clubs into alignment has huge potential to strengthen the entire player development system.
“Alongside the pride of playing a role in developing international and professional players, the international football system is designed to reward player development efforts at all levels, whether through solidarity payments arising from transfer fees or FIFA World Cup qualification,” Pragnell said in a press release.
“When the football system in New Zealand is working well, and in alignment, we have seen significant payments flow down to the community club level in recognition of their work.
“This year, alongside our National Competitions plan, we will review the Talent Development Programme (TDP) delivered in our Dettol National League clubs to ensure it is fit for purpose and has strong alignment and connection with the professional club programmes.
“Auckland FC have made a big impact in their first A-League Men season and have partnered with the vast majority of the TDP clubs in the region which has really resonated with the football community.”
Nick Becker, CEO of Auckland FC, says the partnership strengthens their mission to develop professional Kiwi footballers by aligning with national and regional organisations, expanding support for young talent, and helping more players achieve the dream of representing New Zealand.
“Playing for your national team is one of the highest honours a player can experience and the dream of many. Thanks to this partnership, we’ll now be able to support more players in realising that dream,” Becker said in a press release.
“We have 18 Kiwi players, 11 of them with All Whites experience, and we’ve developed partnerships with nearly all the TDP clubs north of Tauranga.
“One of our founding missions as a club was to provide a pathway to support more young footballers to make it as professionals, this partnership supports that.
“New Zealand Football, Auckland FC, federations, and the TDP clubs are now all aligned, with clubs receiving support and recognition for the work they do in nurturing future talent and developing a love of the global game.”
The partnership takes effect immediately and will initially run for two years.
