What is the Girls JDL (Junior Development League)?
Manly United’s Girls JDL (GJDL) program is overseen by the Manly United Women’s Technical Director. The focus is on core skill development and lays the foundation for players moving into the next football development phase (game training) and Football NSW Girls Youth League.
What does GJDL involve?
Manly United’s GJDL is a 36 week program for girls only, and runs from November to September. The players train three nights a week and represent Manly United in the Football NSW GJDL League. Matches are played from March to August.
What are the eligibility criteria for Manly United GJDL?
Our GJDL players must reside within the boundaries of the JDL North Zone, which consists of the following local associations: Manly Warringah FA (MWFA), Northern Suburbs FA, North West Sydney Football & Central Coast Football. Proof of residency is required upon selection, which is a rule set by Football NSW (FNSW).
Can my child play in mixed (boys) JDL?
Girls can play in the mixed (boys) JDL program. All trialists are considered on their merits, as is consistent with the trial procedure.
Can my child register for GJDL and a MWFA team in the same season?
Players are not permitted to register for more than one club in the same season. This is a FNSW/Football Australia regulation.
How many players are in each GJDL age group?
GJDL U9/U10 – 14 (games are 9 v 9)
GJDL U11 – 14 (games are 9 v 9)
GJDL U12 – 14 (games are 9 v 9)
GJDL U13 – 14 (games are 9 v 9)
How are GJDL trials conducted?
The trials are used to select both the GJDL and GDEV (Girls Development Squad) players. ALL players attend ALL GJDL/GDEV trials, unless otherwise stipulated by the Technical Director in writing.
If you intend to trial but DO NOT wish to be in the GDEV program, you must make this known at the first trial. This will enable us to plan and eliminate players from GDEV consideration if they do not wish to be part of GDEV. There is no expectation that players will take up a position in GDEV, however it is the best pathway to being selected in GJDL the following year.
Following the first trial (Day 1), players who have been identified to continue in the trial process will be invited to attend Day 2. Following the Day 2 trials, players who have been identified to continue in the trial process will be invited to attend Day 3, and so on until the GJDL/GDEV squads have been finalised.
Please be aware that ongoing assessment occurs during the season. Player reports and regular updates, including attendance, commitment, attitude, work ethic and technical skill, are all taken into account when deciding on final squad positions.
Manly United DO NOT retain players in GJDL/GDEV at the end of the season. ALL players are invited to re-trial every year.
How often do the GJDL teams train?
All GJDL squads have a block of training before Christmas, training at least one day a week (taking into account other loads) directly following the trials.
All GJDL squads return to post-Christmas (in season) training during the first week of February. GJDL train three times per week, while GDEV train two times per week.
When do the GJDL teams play games?
Games are mostly on Sundays, however some opposition clubs play their home games on Saturdays.
Manly United GJDL home games are played at Cromer Park on Fields 1 & 2 (the two synthetic fields).
Our U9/U10 & U12 teams usually play home games at 8:30am, while our U11 & U13 teams normally play home games at 9:30am.
Kickoff times for away games are determined by the opposition club.
Who coaches the GJDL teams?
All GJDL coaches hold a C Youth Diploma, which is the minimum level of qualification required by FNSW. All GDEV coaches either hold or are working towards their C Diploma. Additionally, all Manly United coaching staff hold a current Working with Children Check.
GJDL is overseen by the Manly United Women’s Technical Director, Sharon Egger.
What are the fees for GJDL?
GJDL fees are set by FNSW and will be communicated at the first trial.
Can players trial for an age group above or below their age?
All players need to register for trials in their correct age group (as at 31 December of the current year).
FNSW will in certain circumstances allow players who are late developers physically to play down an age grade at their club, provided the club has positions available. This process is known as Relative Age Effect (RAE).
If players wish to be considered for RAE status, they need to make contact prior to the trials by emailing the Technical Director at sharon@manlyunitedfc.com.au . This will give them enough time to submit an application to FNSW for consideration.
If players wish to be considered for the age group above, they need to make this known to the Technical Director at the FIRST trial. The coaching staff will assess the player in their correct age group before making a decision.
Can my child trial to play as a goalkeeper?
Players can trial for a goalkeeping position and if selected, specific goalkeeper training is provided.
What is MWFA’s pathway for girls?
Manly United GJDL is the beginning of the Talented Girls Player Pathway for MWFA’s female players. Our GJDL is the feeder program for the Manly United Girls Youth League teams, which then lead to Manly United’s senior teams in the National Premier Leagues NSW (NPL NSW) competition. Many players have progressed from our NPL NSW teams into A-League Women, Junior Matildas (Australia U17), Young Matildas (Australia U20), Australia U23, and the Matildas (senior Australian national team).
Our GJDL is underpinned by our GDEV program, from which many players have progressed to GJDL and on to Girls Youth League at Manly United.
I would like to ask more questions about the GJDL program.
If you have questions that have not been answered by the above information, please email our Technical Director at sharon@manlyunitedfc.com.au .
