The New Zealand under-19 secondary schools football team (also known as New Zealand U19 Schoolboys) represents New Zealand in
association football at under-19 age-group level. It is controlled by the New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Association (NZSSFA) which is affiliated to New Zealand Football (NZF).
History
Overview
The New Zealand U19 schoolboys national team "fills a vital role in the development of the international player pool in New Zealand in the gap between the under-17 and under-20 programs."
As all of New Zealand's top youth players attend secondary school full-time, the player pool for under-19 selections is the same as that of the under-17 program. The process begins with secondary schools nominating their best players to go forward for provincial trials. From this, 36 players are named to a national selection camp where a final 18-man squad is selected for international tournaments.
Competitions
Historically, the team travels to the United Kingdom every two years and plays against the Centenary Shield U18 and U19 national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. They have also competed in friendlies and tournaments in Austria, Korea, Australia and the United States. In 2021, the team will resume their four nations contest in the UK.
Recent Success
In 2013, the New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national team toured the United Kingdom under former Leeds United defender and now acclaimed NZ coach,
Danny Hay, and they achieved the best set of results in history. The team drew 1–1 with both England and Scotland, beat Wales 2-1 and were victorious over prestigious five nations Centenary Shield champions,
Northern Ireland, 2–0.
As a result of the team's impressive performances in 2013, numerous players including Judd Baker and
Sam Brotherton
Samuel Edward Brotherton (born 29 October 1996) is a former New Zealand professional footballer who played as a defender. Brotherton also played with the New Zealand national team.
Club career
Brotherton started his career in the ASB Premiers ...
were offered trials with professional clubs in the UK. Judd Baker was eventually signed by
Premier League side
Swansea City A.F.C. and is also a New Zealand under-20 international. Sam Brotherton, vice-captain of the 2013 squad, has since signed for
Sunderland A.F.C
Sunderland Association Football Club (, ) is an English professional football club based in the city of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Formed in 1879, Sunderland play in the Championship, the second tier of English football. The club has won six ...
. and represented New Zealand at U20, U23 and full international level. Arguably the most successful graduate since the program's inception in 2000 is goalkeeper,
Stefan Marinovic
Stefan Tone Marinovic ( hr, Stefan Tone Marinović, ) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the New Zealand national team.
Club career
Marinovic attended Auckland private school, Kings College. In 2005, he wo ...
, who as a result of his performances in Austria 2008, was offered trials with
Everton FC
Everton Football Club () is an English professional association football club based in Liverpool that competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. The club was a founder member of the Football League in 1888 and has compe ...
,
FC Zurich
FC may refer to:
Businesses, organisations, and schools
* Fergusson College, a science and arts college in Pune, India
* Finncomm Airlines (IATA code)
* FranklinCovey company, NYSE stock symbol FC
* Frontier Corps, a paramilitary force in Pakis ...
and
FC Schalke 04
Fußballclub Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e. V., commonly known as FC Schalke 04 (), Schalke 04 (), or abbreviated as S04 (), is a professional German football and multi-sports club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhi ...
. He is now the first-choice goalkeeper for the
New Zealand senior national team and plays for the
Vancouver Whitecaps in the
MLS.
Rivalries
The team's loose rivals are Trans-Tasman neighbors
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, having first played each other at
Arlington Park, NSW on 25 August 1938. New Zealand has lost to Australia 2-0 in both 2016 and 2019.
Coaching staff
Current squad
The following players were named in the New Zealand U19 Schoolboys final 18-man squad on 10 December 2015 to tour Australia in July 2016.
''Caps and goals correct at 10 December 2015''
Results and fixtures
2013
2016
2019
External links
*
References
{{National sports teams of New Zealand
Under-19