Youth Talent Development Programmes - TDPs (Grades 13-17)

East Coast Bays AFC is proud to be a part of a select group of clubs with an New Zealand Football Accredited Talent Development Programme.

Players within our Talent Development Programme (TDP) train three nights a week with our highly qualified OFC/NZF licenced coaching team who deliver our own player-centred curriculum.

The aims of our TDP are to develop the whole person:

Supportive, safe and enjoyable environment to learn and play football on two artificial turfs at Ashley Reserve (Long Bay)
Provide a holistic football education from 13 - 17 years of age with a focus on developing character, lifestyle, problem-solving and teamwork
Football philosophy that is adapted to develop appropriate skills in each age group, balancing skill development with enjoyment and challenge
Developing game-breaking players through an individual development focus, within a friendly and competitive team setting
Specialist focus on learning to outplay defenders and excel in 1v1 situations.
Regular individual goal setting and mentoring sessions
Educational workshops and educational material in injury prevention, nutrition and pathways

>> To get a taste of what it's like, check out some of the action in our TDP Video (click the image on the right) or visting our TDP photo gallery

Our NZF accreditation allows us to compete at the highest level

Our TDP teams compete in the NRFL Youth and NRF Championship Leagues which are the highest level of competition provided by NRF. The NRFL Youth League is the league created for TDP accredited clubs to enter. Any TDP accredited club gains automatic entry to the NRFL Youth League for grades U13 to U17 and the league is regionally based (Northland/Auckland/Waikato/Bay of Plenty). The NRF Championship League sits underneath the NRFL Youth League and the league is locally based (Northland/Auckland).

Our programmes cater for the following age grades:

13th Grade NRFL Youth League Mixed & NRF Championship League Mixed
14th Grade NRFL Youth League Mixed & NRF Championship League Mixed
15th Grade NRFL Youth League Boys
17th Grade NRFL Youth League Boys

Selection process

Selection for our TDP teams takes place in Term 4, with players assessed and given time to settle into the programme over 9 weeks.

2023 TDP Training + Schedule

The ECB Training Week

Each training week is designed to deliver a full range of exercises for the aspirational footballer that covers injury prevention, decision-making, ‘outplay’ exercises, and team concepts in small, medium, and large groups – all working within a week-long learning theme. All exercises include opposed finishing on goal. Specialist goalkeeper coaching is available each week within the regular training schedule.

Coaches

We pride ourselves on having one of the most qualified and experienced teams of coaches in the Auckland region with highly qualified OFC/NZF licensed coaches who are well connected with players of all ages at the club. For more information on their credentials and roles at the club, head to our East Coast Bays Coaching Team webpage

NRFL Youth 17s
Head Coach - Mingi So
Assistant Coach - Faiz Syed

NRFL Youth 15s
Head Coach – Daewook Kim
Assistant Coaches – Callum Simmonds / Joe Hall

NRFL Youth 14s
Head Coach – Faiz Syed
Assistant Coach – Mingi So

NRFL Youth 13s
Head Coach – Callum Simmonds
Assistant Coach – Thomson Nkoy

NRFL 13s/14s Championship
Head Coach – Thomson Nkoy

Support coaches
Goalkeeping coach: Adam Frisby
Strength and Conditioning: Dan Stutt / Mikael Staryzinski
Video Analysis: Jake Le Sueur

Term 2 2023 Schedule

Wednesday April 26th - Talent Development Program begins for all players born between 2006-2010 (inclusive)

NRFL Youth 13/14s (born years 2009-2010)

Start the Engine: Monday 4.30pm-6pm Ashley Reserve
Win it Wednesday: Wednesday 4.15pm-5.30pm Ashley Reserve
Game Ready: Thursday 4.30pm-5.45pm Ashley Reserve

NRFL Youth 15s (born years 2008-2006):

Start the Engine: Monday 6.15pm-7.45pm Ashley Reserve
Win it Wednesday: Wednesday 5.00pm-6.30pm Ashley Reserve
Game Ready: Thursday 5.45pm-7.15pm Ashley Reserve

NRFL Youth 17s (born year 2006):

Start the Engine: Monday 6.15pm-7.45pm Ashley Reserve
Win it Wednesday: Wednesday 5.00pm-6.30pm Ashley Reserve
Game Ready: Thursday 6.30pm-8.00pm Ashley Reserve

Future bays (17s eligible players train w/ first team and u23 players - by invite only, based on ability)

Tuesday 6.30pm Ashley Reserve
Wednesday 6.30pm Ashley Reserve (invited players do not need to attend the NRFL Youth 17s session on the same evening)

NRFL Youth Goalkeepers

Monday and Wednesday: 5.30-6.30pm

Players are encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of each session. We will provide individual training guidance and arrival activities for this time.

NRFL Youth Championship (players born in 2009/2010)