Youth Development Pathway

Ellerslie's Youth Development Pathway centres around the TDP accreditation from New Zealand Football

About TDP Accreditation 

The Talent Development Programme (TDP) is a programme overseen by NZ Football and
administered by the Northern Region Federation that enforces criteria for the youth grades of
competition (U13-U17). The intent of TDP is to raise the level of delivery by the clubs and
subsequently improve the quality of New Zealand’s youth players. Only clubs that are TDP
accredited are able to play in the highest level of competition in their respective grades. To attain
accreditation, clubs must meet a set of criteria covering such things as coach qualifications, training
sessions per week, match filming, access to goalkeeper coaching, facilities etc.


Ellerslie AFC has gained accreditation for TDP and will be included in the NZ Football Talent
Development Programme for the 2024 season.


Gaining TDP accreditation is an endorsement by NZ Football and the Federation of the player
development work that Ellerslie AFC is doing in the talent space. It means Ellerslie is accredited to
the highest levels of youth football in the country.


Ellerslie AFC players now have access to play in the ‘top’ competitions in the youth leagues from
U13-U17 for both boys and girls. It means that players can achieve their development goals while
remaining with Ellerslie through their junior and youth playing years.

The Club are hugely excited to achieve TDP status. It will mean a step up in the way the Club
operates at youth level. However, the Club will continue to strive to provide an enjoyable football
experience for all our players, regardless of ability.

Youth Talent Fee

Players in the Club’s Red Teams, the highest teams in each of the  Youth grades  will be charged a one-off Talent Fee at the commencement of each season.

The Talent Fee covers a number of items that either provide benefits for players in the Red teams or incur additional cost for the club. These include:

  • A paid qualified coach for the season
  • 30 week Talent Development Programme through term 1-3, with three sessions per week.
  • Access to recorded Games and Player workshops
  • Access to the turf for training 
  • Club Jackets (subject to correct size availability), Playing Shirts
  • Increased player levies and competition fees by Northern Region Football

The Youth Talent  Fee for 2024 will be as follows:

  • Grades (U13 – U17 Boys) - $280
  • Grades (U14 - U16 Girls) - $280 

For any Enquiries please contact

Boys - fdm@ellersliefootball.org.nz (Ben Fletcher)
Girls - girlsfdm@ellersliefootball.org.nz (Hollie Leona)