Wollongong to host 2024 National Youth Championships Boys' tournament | Football Australia

Taking place over six days from 16 – 21 July, the 2024 National Youth Championships Boys’ tournament for the Under 15 and Under 16 age groups will be held across WIN Stadium, JJ Kelly Park and Ian McLennan Park in Wollongong.

After successfully hosting last year’s Girls’ tournament, and as a long-standing breeding ground of elite footballing talent, Wollongong will welcome 32 teams featuring some of the best emerging players from across Australia. 

The National Youth Championships are the flagship youth event in the Australian football calendar, with teams from Football Australia's nine State and Territory Member Federations competing not only to claim the coveted national title, but to impress attending national team technical staff.

Embedded within Football Australia's talent identification scheme, the National Youth Championships serves as a crucial stepping-stone for young players with many of today's Subway Socceroos tracing their beginnings to the tournament.

Players like Jordan Bos (Football VIC), Nathan Burns (Football NSW), Brett Emerton (Football NSW), Rhyan Grant (Football NSW), Harry Kewell (Football NSW), Mark Milligan (Football NSW), Lucas Neill (Football NSW) and Wollongong local Luke Wilkshire (Football NSW) have all progressed through the National Youth Championships pathway just to name a few.

The annual National Youth Championships not only provide an opportunity for aspiring young players to showcase their skills, but also coaches, officials, and technical staff a chance to learn and grow in their respective fields.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Wollongong for the 2024 National Youth Championships Boys’ tournament.”

“After successfully hosting the 2023