What is a Homegrown Player and why does it matter for my child?

A Homegrown Player is a player who, between the ages of 12 and 21, was registered with their NPL club for three entire seasons or 36 months in total. The periods are added together and do not need to be continuous, so time spent at another club in between does not cancel earlier time.

It matters because Football Australia requires every NPL club to have at least three Homegrown Players on its first team roster. The roster principles describe the category as an initiative to encourage more first team players to be developed within the club from an earlier age, promoting investment in club-based talent between Under 12 and Under 21.

Source: NPL Player Roster Principles 2026.