New Zealand Men's U-17s

Well put Smithy very tactful                                                                                                                                                                                                            " Kids outside of Auckland are at a real, but not malicious disadvantage"

Coaches appointed for 2013 U17 World Cup Campaign

Head Coach:       Darren Bazeley  

Asistant Coach:   Willy Gersden      

India are bidding to host the 2017 u-17 World Cup and are backed by their government  - part of a big push by FIFA and the All India Football Federation to develop the game there. Seems quite possible they will be awarded it.

2013: UAE

2015: Chile

So, if India are awarded it on Dec. 14, the Phoenix pre-season trip to India should prove useful in terms of experience gained and contacts made to pass on to NZ Football.

http://zeenews.india.com/sports/football/indian-government-backs-aiff-to-host-the-2017-u-17-football-world-cup_749319.html

Australia has already identified its top 30 players for the 2015 U17 World Cup in Chile.

This is partly due to their qualification path via Asia, but I wonder if NZ is as active at this stage for players born 1998? 

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/joeys

Anyone know if there is a list of the training squad that has been selected for 2013 World Cup qualifiers?

Was thinking it was a really good idea to have the U17's in the ASB Premiership youth League as preparation for the tournament later this year and was also wondering why this was not put into place for previous tournaments.  Then I also thought it would have been a good opportunity to have and U20's team or even 2 one in the north Island and one in the south Island enter into the ASB Premiership League.

Then I read this statement below and suddenly it all became clear, these logical things only get put into place if your son is involved in one of the teams, otherwise no one cares or helps the development of other Talented footballers in this country, am I wrong?.

"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.

Does Fred have a son near the U17s or have I missed your point?

Who cares... good for the son and everyone else.

I'd also argue that they are now beginning to only look at this as we have become more competative so the investment in doing this sort of thing is now considered worth while.

Quick question, does NZF recieve money for youth tournaments?

Does anyone know when this squad / wider training group is being posted? A group of "northern based players" are playing in the National Youth league, but who is in the mix from elsewhere in the country? Also seemed to be enough for another team in NZF gear watching from the sideline on Sunday

More quality comm's from NZFA

Is your son bursting to find out?

This is NZF, there will be no grand news conference. Its what they do.

Ross McPhie and Cory Brown from Nelson are in the team. Cory was at the Falcons game so I assume he didn't make the matchday squad. The full squad has 30 players.

Heard there were alot of Aussie Kids at the NZ U17 camp --  

Really? I'd never considered that would be the case at this age group level, but I suppose as long as they are eligible, why not? Not sure how they would train and play lead up games if selected though.

Is andre de jong freds son?

Yes surprise, surprise.

Does anyone know how many from outside the Northern Region are in the mix or have they all shifted to Auckland? Seems pretty tough to make the squad otherwise give that the Northern based kids are playing every weekend together?

 I know #16 Meysum Shafahi *was* a canty junior rep a few years ago - bloody quality then. Whether he's still based down here is another question.

Meysum has been at the APFA Academy in Lincoln, but has shifted north to play ASB Youth to give himself every chance of making the final cut. Noticed he hasn't transferred through Mainland's clearances pages so probably an admin error there.

The only reason that Northern Region team exists is because of Freds input...

wonder if his weight would have been behind it if his son wasnt playing.

But Boganville, are you saying it's NOT a good thing? Without expense of overseas tour; ideal prep I would have thought.

As to de Jong, I would only have a problem if it didn't continue for the next U17 cycle.

Other than in 2001-2002 when they entered a U17 team just before their qualifiers - it takes another 11years for it to happen again (and if im not mistaken Kris Bright was in that team another off spring of an ex all white)

Surely only having a small demographic of the countries top kids playing together is a waste of time. (Is this current squad only made up of Auckland kids)?

Expense of an overseas tour - surely they would get more out of a tour than playing with half a squad in the youth league..

Good point Boganville, and I assume you agree it is a good thing.  Stretford End your point of having a problem if it didnt continue for the next U17 cycle works both way, it didnt happen with the previous U17 squad. it might continue for a while then die off again ...