ASB Youth League 2012/13

The ASB Youth League will grow for the 2012/13 season with the inclusion of Nelson and a national U-17 squad set compete in the under 19 competition due to kick off in January.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh was quick to distinguish the expansion related to the ASB Youth League alone and that the ASB Premiership would remain as is.

"We need to ensure any expansion is done in a controlled manner and does not jeopardise the stability the competition has enjoyed to date. 

"That being said there is a possibility of expansion, and entry into the ASB Youth League is a good gauge on how teams handle national competition on and off the pitch," added McKavanagh.

Nelson will return to national league football for the first time in 12 years with the confirmation and join YoungHeart Manawatu, Team Wellington, Canterbury United and Otago United in the southern conference.

While the approval is strictly for the ASB Youth League, Nelson spokesman, Aldo Miccio is still hopeful it will lead into a full ASB Premiership licence in the future.

"It's fantastic news that we will have a youth team this season," Miccio says.

"We have a group of talented young players, who will now have a chance to play against their peers on the national stage.

"This is wonderful for players, clubs, and for the Nelson region itself and provides a pathway for kids to develop in their home town, so that they don't have to travel four or five hours down to play at national level," said Miccio.

Historically a hotbed for domestic football, the last Nelson entity to compete at national level was during the National Club Championship in 2000.

New Zealand Football also confirmed that a national U-17 squad will contest the northern conference, the third time such a concept has been implemented.

"We feel this is an important component in the development of this squad for in preparation for the qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE next year. 
"Entry into the ASB Youth League gives us the most cost effective preparation when compared to touring the team internationally," said NZF High Performance Manager Fred de Jong.

Exact draw details for the ASB Youth League will be confirmed at a later date.

ASB Youth League

Northern Conference – Auckland City, Waitakere United, Waikato, Hawke’s Bay United, NZ U-17

Southern Conference – YoungHeart Manawatu, Team Wellington, Canterbury United, Otago United, Nelson

This New Zealand Under-17 squad could be a nuisance for the new Nelson team if Cory Brown, Ross McPhie and Fox Slotemaker make it.. But great for the development of our age group team heading into a world cup. Could be a semi draw card when the NZ U17 team comes to Nelson to play.

Hi Luis. Agreed but the objective for those 3 is probably not to play for Nelson Youth team tbh. Ideally play U17 WC and pick up a USCollege or pro contract somewhere; right? BTW, how many of those 3 are living/playing in Auk now? I heard McPhie was trialling in the UK. 

Yeah he was in the UK a month or so ago.

Fox Slotemaker - MAGS

Cory Brown - Ole Academy

Ross McPhie - Nelson College

..but they will all be in Nelson over summer.

Apparently NZ Football have told the Nelson team that they are not allowed over-age players. 

But Nelson are still hoping to use Mark Johnston (who was at Canterbury United last year), Coey Turipa (Former NZ U20 keeper) and Mike White (Played for nearly everyone in the ASB Premiership) in the ASB Youth League during its first season.

Could be a communication error (Is the A-League youth comp allowed 3 over-age players?) but that could also be embarrassing if the 3 players mention turn down other ASB Premiership gigs.

Apparently NZ Football have confirmed teams are allowed over age players. They just haven't said how many..

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.486160551416595.118401.445566895475961&type=1

Nelson had the first of its youth team trials today and have announced their head coach.

 Nelson football coach Davor Tavich has been appointed Head Coach of the new Nelson Youth Football Team, saying he believes Nelson has the talent needed to compete in the ASB Youth League.

Davor Tavich (46) has lived in Nelson for five years, and has coached various age group representative teams for the region, as well as for the Nelson Bays Football Academy. He holds Level 1, Level 2 coaching certificates, and is completing the advanced level 3 coaching certificate this week.

Prior to moving to Nelson he coached 15 grade football in Auckland and 13 grade football in Lower Hutt, both teams being in the highest division for their age groups.
He says he is very pleased to be appointed Head Coach of this new team, and is excited by the opportunity that the ASB Youth League offers the region’s young players.

“Nelson has a lot of fantastic young footballers, and I believe we have the talent to compete well in the ASB Youth League,” he says. “I know many of the region’s youth players already, but I look forward to seeing all players keen to play in this team at the second trial on Saturday 3rd October.

Tavich is an active football player himself, playing for the FC Nelson Sprig & Fern team this year. He is currently completing a Diploma in Applied Fitness at the NMIT in Nelson.

He says that he is passionate about coaching, and his ambition is to go as far as he can on a national level, and later on an international level. He sees the opportunity to coach this new youth team as a natural progression for his coaching career, and will be aiming for success for the team.

TSF Inc is the official governance group and is made up of the consortium members who successfully bid for a place in the ASB Youth League for the Nelson team.

TSF Inc Committee Chairman Aldo Miccio says he believes Davor Tavich is the right person for the job.

“The TSF Inc Committee selected Davor as Head Coach because of his coaching credentials and qualifications, and his known rapport with young players,” Miccio says. “He is also well versed in the Whole of Football Plan, which underpins everything we currently do in football in New Zealand. We also believe his knowledge of applied fitness will be of benefit to these young players.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all the quality coaching applicants who applied for the Head Coaching role,” he says. “To have so many great coaches supporting this new team and being keen for the role of coach, makes for a very positive start for this team.”

You're allowed 2 over age players. This is not a new rule either. 

Looks like every other Team in the ASB Youth has had their trials/appointed coach etc -  except TW?

I have seen the draw their is/will be TW youth

TW normally have Cap F ball run the youth

A bit behind the 8 ball.  Heard Cap F werent involved this year. Will wait and see!

 Anyone got a draw.

I have the Nelson draw.. can;t help with full draw.

When is the first game?

Why is it so difficult for NZ Football, or whoever is responsible, to publicly publish the plans for this summer's ASB Youth League?

Maybe I'm looking in all the wrong places, but I can find NOTHING anywhere online. I've tried to asked NZFC via email, but so far have had no reply, not even an acknowledgement of my inquiry. 

There must be something out there since some  have got schedules! What's the big secret?

Former All White Peter Simonsen has been named as one of the assistant coaches for the Nelson Falcons.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/8054465/First-flight-to-be-at-home

The Nelson Falcons football team will play their opening two games at home following the release of a revised draw by New Zealand Football.

Originally scheduled to play their ASB Youth League debut fixture in Christchurch, the Nelson Falcons will now host Canterbury United at Trafalgar Park on Sunday, January 13. The following week YoungHeart Manawatu will travel to Nelson for a round two clash.

The opening match against defending champions Canterbury will be a baptism of fire for the new team.

Nelson youth players had previously been involved with Canterbury United, prior to the Falcons' entry bid being approved this year. Last season, former Garin College student Erik Panzer captained the Canterbury United side to a league title.

The two remaining home games are against Otago United on February 3 and Team Wellington at Saxton Field on March 9.

One of the most anticipated away games will be against Otago United at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 3.

The Nelson Falcons will play under the roof in a curtainraiser for the Wellington Phoenix in their round 23 A-League match against Melbourne Heart.

I guess they won't be getting the TV cameras out for that one..

Nelson Falcons team named. Notable absences are Cory Brown and Ross McPhie who have been named in the NZ U17 team.

Just pre-season but Nelson Falcons scored a 2 - 0 win over Team Wellington tonight.

Nelson scored twice in the final five minutes to draw 2-2 with Canterbury at Trafalgar Park today. Heaps of people there, probably at least 400.

Scorer details or match report Luis?

Nelson goals were to Omar Guardiola and Harry Tod Smith

Wasn't paying too much attention to the play.

Canterbury scored in the first five minutes from counter attack, Nelson midfielder claimed he was fouled on halfway.

Omar hit the post.

Canterbury put the ball in the back of the net but was ruled offside.

Canterbury scored again.

Nelson missed a penalty.

Goal keeper Coey Turipa had a free kick nearly go in.

Omar scored a screamer in the top corner from outside the box (was probably a cross)

Coey came up for a few corners and got one clean header on target (was the best opportunity in the second half)

Harry Tod-Smith scores a header from a corner on 95 minutes.

Nelson lose Erik Panzer who goes back to the US this week. He was pretty good alongside Mark Johnston in defence. Nelson's biggest struggle will be scoring goals. Omar looks handy but needs someone else with him up front that looks likely to score. Three changes were made at halftime for Nelson and they made a huge difference.

Photos from the Nelson vs Canterbury game.

 Here 

Nice photos Luis.

Looks like the equaliser was almost in the net before Tod-Smith stuck his nut on it, what was the Canterbury keeper doing?

And how did Turipa get away wearing the same colour jersey as the ref?

Is it that bad that he was wearing yellow? I don't know if the Canterbury guys would have assumed it was the ref going up for a header. Maybe that would have been as strange as seeing Coey there. 

I think Mark Johnston was claiming the goal, but through the lens of a camera it's hard to tell what is actually happening. It was credited to Harry Tod-Smith anyway.

Laws of the game say the keepers change, not the referee.

So if NZ Football had any second thoughts about Nelson deserving its place in the ASB Youth League..

Nelson Falcons 8 - YoungHeart Manawatu - 0.

Daniel Grimshaw had four goals in the first half an hour and ended the day with five, going off injured after scoring his final goal. Coey Turipa saved a second half penalty.

Waitakere won I think 3-1 against Waikato, Stansfield got 2.

Canty United went down 2 - 4 to Team Wellington

Liked the Nelson no. 6 Luis.  What's his name?