How do the first team youth rules affect older juniors?

Question

Accepted Answer

NPL first team match day squads (16 to 18 players) must include a minimum number of Under 23 and Under 20 players:

2026: at least three Under 23 players, at least one of them Under 20.
2027: at least six Under 23 players, at least three of them Under 20.

Age is measured at 31 December of the NPL season. In 2026, Under 20 means born in 2006 or later, and Under 23 means born in 2003 or later.

Only Australian Players count: Visa Players who are Under 20 or Under 23 do not count as youth players. If a youth player is unavailable through injury or suspension, the club must replace them with a like-for-like player from its age-eligible teams roster.

Source: NPL Player Roster Principles 2026.