Junior Boys NPL

The Junior Boys National Premier League (JBNPL) is Football Victoria’s aspirational tier of football for boys participating at the NPL U14-U18 age levels.
This means participants take part in a longer season (33 league games), inclusive of more training sessions under qualified coaches, enhanced facility standards and game day management standards that provide players with the best opportunity to develop their game.

The NPL is overseen by Football Federation Australia (FFA), in partnership with Football Victoria (FV).

48 clubs compete in the Victorian JBNPL across four regions (north, south, east and west). During the pre-qualification period Bendigo City FC competes in the northern region competition, playing against teams from powerhouse clubs such as Melbourne Victory, Whittlesea Rangers, Hume and Pascoe Vale, as well as a regional team Murray United.

The JBNPL is designed for players with qualitative aspirations for their football development. This is for players looking to participate in more advanced and intensive programs than those offered at the Community level.
This means that requirements on players will be more significant. Not only are players expected to have higher levels of technical ability, but they must also be prepared to commit to a longer season and more training sessions than at the Community level.
All clubs are required to participate in a season that is 40 weeks long, playing 33 games and includes three (3) training sessions per week. Coaches must possess FFA coaching qualifications and facilities must reach certain standards.

The season requires players to be available for training and playing across most long weekends and school holida

Understanding the U14, U15, U16 and U18 Junior NPL season

The first part of the U14, U15, U16 and U18 season comprises 11 grading “pre-qualification” games which will all be played in Bendigo. 

Pre-qualification phase (NPL North Vic):

  • Commences: Weekend of 4th February 2024
  • Conclude: Weekend of 14th April 2024

Re-Fixturing period from 15th April to 30th April 2024.  For fixtures, results and ladders use the GameDay app.

Regular Season:
Based on the results of the pre-qualification phase, each team will be assigned to one of three divisions for the regular season.

  • Division 1, top three teams from pre-qualification
  • Division 2, teams 4-6 from pre-qualification
  • Division 3 (north-west), teams 7-12 from pre-qualification

The regular season will be a ‘home-and-away’ season consisting of 22 matches.

It is possible for the U14, U15, U16 and U18 teams to be assigned to different divisions for the regular season, based on ability and results in the pre-qualification phase.

Regular season dates

  • Regular season commences: Weekend of 5th May 2024.
  • Regular season double header: Rounds 6+7 weekend of 9th June 2024 (Saturday and Sunday).
  • Concludes: Weekend of 22nd September 2024.