Who counts as an Under 20 or Under 23 youth player?

Q: Who counts as an Under 20 or Under 23 youth player?

Age is measured at 31 December of the current NPL season. Under 20 Youth Player: 20 or younger at 31 December. For 2026 that means born in 2006 or later. Under 23 Youth Player: 23 or younger at 31 December. For 2026 that means born in 2003 or later. Other conditions: A starting goalkeeper who is Under 20 or Under 23 counts as a youth player on the match day team sheet. A substitute goalkeeper does not. Visa Players who are Under 20 or Under 23 do not count as youth players. If an Under 20 or Under 23 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.

Question

Accepted Answer

Age is measured at 31 December of the current NPL season.

Under 20 Youth Player: 20 or younger at 31 December. For 2026 that means born in 2006 or later.
Under 23 Youth Player: 23 or younger at 31 December. For 2026 that means born in 2003 or later.

Other conditions:

A starting goalkeeper who is Under 20 or Under 23 counts as a youth player on the match day team sheet. A substitute goalkeeper does not.
Visa Players who are Under 20 or Under 23 do not count as youth players.
If an Under 20 or Under 23 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.