Fixing Australia’s youth development starts with revamping the Y-League

A lack of consistent talent-production has cast the spotlight over Australia’s youth pathways in recent years, a topic that has generated robust discussion in football circles.

With many in the industry calling for change, it was a welcome sight when in July, Football Federation Australia (FFA) released its ‘XI Principles’ discussion paper. The document was generally well-received and among the key issues James Johnson and his team addressed was the requirement for a systematic revamp of Australia’s youth system.

According to principle five, FFA will seek to ‘Create a world class environment for youth development / production by increasing match minutes for youth players and streamlining the player pathway.’

Reinvigorating Australia’s youth football pathways will require a long-term, systematic approach to be successful but one thing is certain – young players simply need more competitive minutes.

And that starts by revamping the Y-League. As it stands, 10 clubs make up Australia’s national developmental and under-23 reserve league, forming two conferences.

In principle, the league fits a purpose, but in practice the system is not providing anywhere near enough high-level football for youngsters, certainly not since structural changes were made that hamstring the progress of Australia’s youth prospects..

Gary van Egmond was appointed Young Socceroos manager after the team failed to qualify for three consecutive Under-20 World Cups.

The 2015-16 season saw a new format introduced whereby the Y-League’s regular season was reduced from 18 games per team to a meagre eight (with potential for nine including a grand final).

Part of this reduction in games was due to budget cuts, another part due to FFA’s desire for players to use the NPL system as a developmental tool. On paper this seemed reasonable, but it has proved counterproductive, as talented youngsters are often torn between multiple commitments, causing a severe lack of continuity.

Although A-League clubs can enter their academy teams into their respective state’s NPL competition, elite players are playing a mixture of Y-League, NPL and the A-League games, the latter usually in a substitute or benchwarmer capacity.

This lack of consistency is creating a massive void in player development during what are some of their most critical years.

Earlier this year, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) published an extensive report reviewing the national youth competition through historical analysis and player surveys. In an interview with pfa.com.au regarding the report, Guinean born Australian youth-level star John Roberts had the following to say.

“The Y-League is only eight games, and sometimes you don’t play eight, maybe it’s just four or five because you’re trialling with the first team or you’re the 17th or 18th man and you don’t get to play. In my opinion, for young players I think the youth league needs to go to a full season because I just think it will benefit us young players, it will give us more opportunity when we’re not playing.”

“But after the youth league finishes, you have to wait a while and then play NPL1 or NPL2 or just wait for your opportunity in the A-League.”

“You have to play regularly in higher competitions. If you’re playing NPL1 or NPL2 and you get called up into the A-League, the intensity of the game is too different because you’re not used to that and you don’t play in a high enough competition.”

The full interview with Roberts can be found here.

Striker John Roberts spoke about the limitations of the Y-League.

Among the notable results published in the report were that 90% of players believe the Y-League season should be extended and that only 20% of players who have graduated from the Y-League over the past five years went on to make an A-League appearance.

The findings led PFA Chief Executive John Didulica to state “In its current format the Y-League does not meet the needs of the players, A-League clubs or Australian football.”

The lack of youth production has predictably influenced the national setup, with Australia’s Under-20 team failing to qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup for a record third consecutive time.

With the Y-League’s structural changes in 2016 clearly not having their intended impacts and FFA’s 2017 closure of the AIS, changes need to be made.

The solution may simply involve favouring the decentralized, academy-first approach which FFA has created but designing an environment which complements it. Something akin to the National Youth League of 1981-2004.

Extending the Y-League to run parallel to the A-League as a genuine reserve grade competition would allow players to fully commit to their academy side. This would mean ample minutes, plus a guarantee of continuity that does not currently exist for players who are forced to rebound between Y-League, NPL and occasionally A-League clubs.

While in theory this could harm NPL teams if their talented youngsters are poached by academies, it could create a perfect opportunity for FFA to implement new rules and regulations surrounding player transfers and compensation that would form part of an improved transfer system.

This is something the federation has stated it wishes to achieve through principle number three, in which FFA states in intention ‘To establish an integrated and thriving football ecosystem driven by a modern domestic transfer system’.

Designing a formal compensation system to parallel a legitimate under-23’s full season competition would kill two birds with one stone, rewarding grassroots clubs for producing talent while giving young players the consistent exposure to competitive football

There are undoubtedly factors, mainly commercial, which would dictate the validity of these ideas, but the game’s top administrators do need to act, or Australia will face the risk of losing its next generation and fading from international football relevance.

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Inside the Convention That Could Reshape Football Across Australia

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Collaboration as strength: When stakeholders align, the game benefits at every level. Other member federations should take note, be receptive to change, and support policies grounded in the realities of football.

The 2025 Football Queensland Convention was more than just a gathering. It was a statement about what football in Australia can achieve when clubs, businesses, and government come together in one room. It was an opportunity to elevate the debate around the sport’s future and move conversations beyond day-to-day operations. For an industry often focused on immediate results, the convention provided a rare chance to pause, reflect, and plan for long-term growth.

Over two days, coaches, administrators, industry leaders, and players came together to discuss governance, infrastructure, competition, and the use of technology in football. The most important message was clear: football will only grow if stakeholders work together and are willing to rethink the way the game operates at every level. Breakout sessions tailored to different roles ensured that practical challenges and innovative ideas were explored alongside broader strategic discussions.

The convention succeeded because it was inclusive. From grassroots volunteers to professional executives, everyone had a voice. The conversations reflected a cultural shift where decision-making and innovation are shared rather than reserved for a few at the top. It showed that the best solutions come from collective input and that elevating the debate across all levels of football is essential to meaningful progress.

ndustry leaders at Football Queensland 2025 Convention collaborating on the growth and governance of Australian football
Industry leaders at Football Queensland 2025 Convention collaborating on the growth and governance of Australian football

Keynote speaker Joe Schmit set a strong tone about leadership and purpose, encouraging attendees to consider the type of football culture they wanted to create. One of the most memorable contributions came from Jeehoon Kim from the Korean Football Association. He shared insights from the Made in Korea project, which aims to develop a distinctive style of Korean football. Rather than copying foreign systems, Korea is building its own identity, focusing on a technical philosophy described as fast, fearless, and focused. Players are developed through technical partnerships and youth programs that build on the nation’s strengths.

Kim’s message goes beyond player development. He highlighted that even in governance, success comes when hierarchies are removed and people are empowered to work in their areas of expertise. The project shows that a strong system is only effective if the right people are allowed to innovate and take responsibility. Whether in Korea or Queensland, football thrives when expertise is trusted to lead.

Delegates at 2025 Football Queensland Convention exploring ways to elevate Australian football through innovation and partnership
Delegates at 2025 Football Queensland Convention exploring ways to elevate Australian football through innovation and partnership

Football Queensland itself provides another example of this principle in action under CEO Rob Cavallucci. Speaking on the Soccerscene Off the Pitch Podcast, Cavallucci reflected on how the organisation addressed one of its biggest challenges: the lack of support from commercial and government sectors, which had created significant cost pressures for players and clubs.

He explained, “We made a decision five or six years ago when I became CEO and looked at how the game was structured. The main issue was the lack of support from the commercial sector and government. This meant there was always going to be significant cost pressure on the game. So we had to find a way to get on a different path.”

That path involved reforming governance and competition structures, introducing conference-based leagues, pyramid systems, and the FQ Academy pathway. The results have been impressive. Registration fees, which once made up around half of FQ’s revenue, now sit in the low twenties because the organisation has successfully maximised revenue from other sources, including corporate partnerships and government support.

Cavallucci added, “Importantly, we repositioned ourselves to appeal more to the corporate sector and government.” This approach has reduced financial pressure on players and clubs while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the game. It demonstrates how thoughtful governance, paired with strategic partnerships, can transform an entire football ecosystem.

The convention highlighted that collaboration is football’s greatest strength. When clubs, businesses, and government align around a common purpose, the benefits are felt at every level of the game. More than just addressing immediate challenges, it was an opportunity to elevate the debate, explore long-term solutions, and inspire stakeholders to work together for the wider good of the sport.

Soccerscene CEO Stace Ioannidis presenting the Editorial Creed to Football Queensland CEO Rob Cavalucci to elevate the debate in Australian football
Soccerscene CEO Stace Ioannidis presenting the Editorial Creed to Football Queensland CEO Rob Cavalucci to elevate the debate in Australian football

Other member federations would benefit from observing this approach and embracing a willingness to adapt. Receptivity to new ideas promotes stronger alignment with key stakeholders and enables policymakers to develop thoughtful, practical policies that are grounded in the realities of the game. Such a commitment to collaboration and innovation is essential for fostering a sustainable and thriving football ecosystem across Australia.

If this event is any guide, the future of football in Australia will not be defined by divisions or short-term thinking. It will be defined by connection, collaboration, and a collective belief that the best way forward is together. The 2025 Football Queensland Convention has provided a blueprint for how other states and organisations can follow suit and drive the growth of the game in Australia.

Why La Liga and Serie A’s Overseas Ambitions Miss the Mark

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Image credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

There’s something special about a home game. The walk to the ground, the echo of chants through narrow streets, and the sight of familiar faces in the stands all weave together to form football’s cultural heartbeat. It’s the essence of what makes the sport local, communal, and deeply personal.

So when a domestic league decides to move one of its regular-season fixtures to another country, it feels like a breach of that bond. La Liga’s recently cancelled plan to stage a match in Miami is a case in point, a move that was ambitious in its intent but misguided in its execution.

The proposal, initially set to feature Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami this December, was meant to mark the first time a Spanish league match would be played outside of Spain. It was to be a significant moment in La Liga’s international expansion, yet, this week, La Liga confirmed the game would no longer go ahead. 

La Liga announced the cancellation in a statement on October 22nd, stating, “the decision has been made to cancel the organisation of the event due to the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks.”

The explanation might sound clear and logical, but the underlying tone was clear: resistance from players, clubs, and supporters had proven too strong for the league to ignore.

Football’s global reach has never been greater, and the appetite for elite European football across North America and Asia is undeniable. But not everything that makes sense commercially aligns with what makes football special.

A home fixture isn’t just a logistical concept; it’s a symbol of identity. It represents the connection between a club and its community, between the stands and the city they inhabit. When that connection is uprooted for the sake of marketing, the league risks diminishing the very qualities that make it engaging in the first place.

It received extreme backlash…

The backlash from both fans and players was immediate and significant. Across Spain, supporters’ groups voiced anger that such a fundamental change to the league was being discussed without meaningful consultation. Many saw it as a betrayal of local supporters who invest time, money, and passion into following their clubs week after week.

Players, too, made their objections clear. Earlier this season, La Liga footballers staged coordinated on-pitch protests, pausing for 15 seconds at kick-off to highlight their frustration over the lack of dialogue and respect shown by league officials.

The Spanish players’ union publicly condemned the proposal, warning that taking competitive fixtures abroad undermines not only the integrity of the league but also the players’ physical welfare due to travel demands and congested scheduling. Together, fans and players presented a united front, a strong display of solidarity that ultimately helped force La Liga to reconsider its plans.

These objections were more than emotional reactions, they were grounded in the structural logic of sport. The home-and-away format exists to ensure fairness, balance, and authenticity. A club’s “home advantage” is not merely a cliche or superstition; it’s a reflection of support and identity. 

La Liga still chasing the Premier League’s revenue records

However, it’s easy to see why the idea was tempting. La Liga faces an uphill battle to keep up with the Premier League’s global dominance.

Broadcasting revenue gaps continue to widen, and both La Liga and Serie A are seeking creative ways to reach new audiences. The Miami match would have been a global showcase, a polished event designed to generate headlines, sponsorships, and international attention.

But if the aim is to build sustainable global engagement, staging a regular-season game overseas is the wrong mechanism. Fans abroad are not asking for borrowed fixtures; they’re asking for connection.

They want access to content, insight, and a sense of belonging, all of which can be achieved through digital outreach or pre-season tours, both of which can be done  without disrupting the league calendar.

Serie A should definitely take note. The league is awaiting conformation from FIFA for a proposed competitive league match abroad, with Italian giants AC Milan set to take on Como FC at Optus Stadium on the 8th of February, 2026.

Como FC, in a club statement released for its members, have said that the international fixture and the revenue generated from it will “help ensure survival” for the club and mentioned the enormous financial advantage in English football.  

The ambition mirrors La Liga’s idea to expand the league’s global footprint and revitalise revenue streams. Yet, the lessons from Spain are plain to see. If the goal is to grow, do so without compromising the supporters who form the league’s foundation.

Conclusion

Domestic football thrives on the local community, the ritual of weekend fixtures, the generational ties that bind fans to their clubs. When that structure is interrupted for the sake of revenue or global recognition, the game begins to lose its grounding.

That’s why the cancellation of La Liga’s Miami game should be welcomed as more than a logistical decision; it’s an important reminder that football’s heart still beats at home. It suggests that, even amid the relentless pursuit of global growth, there remains an understanding that tradition and community still matter.

Perhaps the idea of regular-season games abroad will resurface in the future, the commercial pressures will certainly persist. But when that conversation returns, it should begin with the fans, and players, not the investors. 

La Liga’s decision may have disappointed some executives and sponsors, but it has restored a small measure of balance to the sport’s ongoing tension between profit and culture

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