How often must a JDL team train, and how long is the season?
Rule- New South Wales
- Football NSW
- Junior Development Leagues
- Skill Acquisition Phase
- Under 9-Under 13
- 2026
- Coaches
The 2026 Club Standards and Benchmarking Framework sets these JDL league compliance requirements:
- Train 3 times per week, for a minimum of 60 to 75 minutes.
- Season length of at least 36 weeks.
The 2025 JDL Parent Information describes the recommended program as a 36-week training and competition program (for example, 4 to 6 weeks in October/November to December plus 30 to 36 weeks from January to August), with three training sessions per week plus one game a week in the competition phase. It says clubs are not permitted to charge players an extra fee for training during the November to March period, and that trial weeks do not count towards the 36 to 40 weeks.
Sources: Football NSW Club Standards and Benchmarking Framework 2026 (JDL league compliance); Football NSW JDL Parent Information, March 2025 (sections 3, 9 and 10).
Added 24 Oct 2026