Analysis of New Zealand’s top regional men’s leagues has revealed the clubs giving the most game time to players under 20.
In an effort to encourage development of young players, NZ Football have been monitoring the share of game time available to teenage players in the Northern League, Central League and Southern League.
The club giving youth the most opportunities is the Wellington Phoenix whose reserve team is drawn from academy players and competes in the Central League.
Midway through the season, here are the clubs with the most game time for U-20 players:
The top 10
98% — Wellington Phoenix Reserves (Central League)
47% — North Wellington (Central League)
46% — Auckland United (Northern League)
44% — Melville United (Northern League), UC Football (Southern League)
43% — Tauranga City (Northern League)
39% — Christchurch United (Southern League)
35% — Nomads United (Southern League)
34% — Stop Out (Central League), Western Suburbs (Central League)
Standings
Photo credit: Janosch Diggelmann / unsplash.
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