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Toyota Cup (rugby league)
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The National Youth Competition (sponsored as the Toyota Cup) is the official development competition for the Australian National Rugby League. Commencing in 2008, it will consist of teams from the 16 clubs that presently participate in the NRL competition, fielding teams made up of players between the ages of 17 and 19.[1] The draw and structure will mirror the NRL and games will be played as a lead-in to the NRL premiership.[2] NRL CEO David Gallop has also said that the competition will use a salary cap and that there will be a heavy focus on life outside of football for the players.[3]
History
Effect on existing competitions
There is ongoing speculation as to how the Queensland Cup will fare with the introduction of the National Rugby League's Under-20s competition in 2008.[4] The Jersey Flegg Cup now goes to the winner of the |National Youth Competition's minor premiership. [5]
"The best Under-16s Harold Matthews and Under-18s SG Ball teams to compete with their Queensland counterparts for "National champion" status from 2008 onwards, with the added incentive of potential selection in Australian U16 and U18 sides to play New Zealand each year." [6]
"Kaspar Crawley was given the honour of refereeing the 2008 Grand Final."
National Youth Competition Premiers
Teams & Coaches
Television Coverage
Australia
- Free To Air: Channel 9 will be showing a one hour package of one of the Friday night games on Sunday afternoon. [10]
- Subscription television: FOX Sports will show 2 games live every weekend, Live coverage of the Toyota Cup will precede Fox Sports' Super Saturday and Sunday live NRL coverage.[11]
New Zealand
All New Zealand Warriors games in the U20's competition will be shown live by Sky NZ.[12]
Records
Footnotes
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