exceptional ability

Rules vary widely from city to city, and from club to club. Generally playing up a grade is to be discouraged. Unless the player is Wynton Rufer or Duncan Oughton etc, they will eventually come back to the pack and they will have to repeat a grade. This commonly occurs when they are 13 or 14 and it is quite traumatic for the player. Another thing that sometimes happens in clubs is this: The club team where the player ought to be loses some matches;  its players then abuse the star saying "it's your fault"  and "you ought to be playing for us". In  a nutshell: It's maybe OK for a well balanced future All White to play up a grade, but is to be discouraged otherwise. 

There's an article on the Mainland Football site currently about juniors playing in senior grades and the rationales they use to decide who can and who can't play up a grade. Might not answer all your questions but a reasonably fascinating read anyway (check all the links)

http://www.mainlandfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=44&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1420&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=8513d619ee

When I was 14 my Onslow junior team, all of us under 15, was regraded up an age grade following 3 successive wins (9-0, 36-0, 21-0) where our first game was against Miramar R, who were stacked with Under-16 age-grade reps (inc one P Cameron) at the time. Mar ran out close winners 2-1 against us young punks, and that was the only game we lost all season.

When I was 13 I was playing 15/16th grade, because my college didn't have a single team, and my local club had no sides in 13th or 14th grades. Played the odd game off the bench for the mens third team too.

When I was at university I was once in a pub in Palmy and I saw Mark Shaw (ex All Black, aka "cowboy").  Actually someone pointed him out to me as I didn't have any idea who he was.

(Do I win $5?)

Doesn't want to feel left out.

His post made me giggle.

SERIOUS POSTS ONLY IN HERE GUYS! IM LOOKING AT YOU J82 THATS YOUR FINAL WARNING

the mark was going to be NTC level but I do not know if Nelson took this path for 2014. 

aj13 you must  be some player

^ The Gareth Morgan Friends of Papatuanuku Society?

Not really. I was 6 foot at 13, the physical side of the game has always been my strong point.

If such a rule exists its a stupid one. I can understand not being able to play down, but don't get the whole not being allowed to play up. Everyone did it when I was playing juniors not that long ago

I wonder what the policy is these days for players who don't have a school side, or local club side in their age group?

3 players on Nairnville Park that day went on to play for the All Whites. Anyone able to guess who they were?

It's not a rule, it's a guideline. It may well be a rule in 2015 if so many grades are a farce from a competition level. 

Clubs (tend to) do with it what they will.

Recommendation is NTC level players are OK up a grade. The 'exceptional level' = NTC. NTC includes players born 2001 and IIRC there is Girls born 2000 starting in April. I can look through the player list if you need. So that would apply to 12th and 13th Grade of Winter 2014 possibly. 

Again, I do not know what approach Nelson has chosen to take for Winter 2014. I strongly suggest you talk directly with them to get the urgent clarification you need. 

So Nelson will accept submissions from various clubs and make a decision from there. Mainland have done similar and you see the publicized results on their website (was linked to by Gunner Rex earlier). 

Should the criteria be up there? Probably. It should be up there before April, that is for sure.

Regardless, ring them and ask. I'm sure they will be happy to field your question (s). 

My advice is to speak with the kids coach and your club's head of football development. If they believe he is so exceptional there is no development gained from playing in his own age group, then they will advocate with the federation/branch on the players behalf. If the rule is play in his age group. there are plenty of ways to continue his development.