The New Zealand Football Talent Development Programme (TDP) is designed to aid player development at club level.
NZF's Talent Development Programme is designed to aid player development at club level.
The programme, for players aged 13 to 17, is run by clubs across the country in alignment with NZF, and has three core objectives:
- Produce better footballers in Aotearoa New Zealand by increasing the number and quality of training opportunities.
- Provide clear training guidelines based on international best practice for youth footballers who are showing potential to play at a higher level.
- Create a clear aspiration pathway for youth footballers in Aotearoa New Zealand.
New Zealand Football Accreditation Process
The accreditation standards are set by New Zealand Football, and have a range of critera, including:
- Head Coach and all Programme Coaches must hold specified coaching qualifications
- Minimum requirements for training sessions, and Coach-Player ratios
- A clear player pathway
- The playing philosphy and curriculum delivered must follow an approved standard
A club can hold accreditation for Boys (Mixed) or Girls, or both.
The accreditation process has a preliminary accreditation year, during which WaiBOP Federation Development Officers are involved to help clubs ensure they meet all the critera.
If your club is interested in becoming a TDP club, please contact Ken Cresswell for more information ken.c@waibop.co.nz
Read the New Zealand Football Talent Development Programme Manual Here
Playing Leagues
WaiBOP Clubs with TDP accreditation are able to enter in the NRFL Youth Competitions, leagues that includes clubs from Northern Region Football (Auckland and Northland).
However, they also have the option of playing in WaiBOP Federation leagues, because that may be the appropriate level to support their players development.
WaiBOP clubs accredited in NZF Talent Development Programme delivery for 2027 are:
WAIKATO
Melville Utd – Mixed and Girls
Hamilton Wanderers – Mixed
Cambridge FC - Mixed
Northern United - Mixed
BAY OF PLENTY
Tauranga Moana - Mixed & Girls (Via Te Ara Wahine)
Otumoetai FC - Mixed
(nb Mixed teams are predominantly male teams)
Where they play
TDP clubs can enter the NRFL Youth Leagues, which bring together clubs from Northern Region Football (Auckland and Northland) and WaiBOP:
NRFL Mixed U15 and U17 — Sundays
NRFL Girls U14 and U16 — Saturdays
Clubs can also choose to play in WaiBOP Football youth development leagues if that level suits their players better.
There will be no NRFL Mixed U14 league in 2027. Mixed U14 teams will play regionally (NRF and WaiBOP). Mixed U14 Teams from WaiBOP TDP clubs will play in a new WaiBOP TDP League. Details are being finalised and will be on our website in November.
NRFL Youth competitions for 2026 draws are here
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