Eligible players have to be aged 17 to 21 and all players named on the team sheet are to receive a minimum of 30 minutes game time.

The league is a fantastic innovation by Football Federation Australia and CEO Ben Buckley was excited about the prospect of having such young talent on show, "The establishment of a National Youth League is an important component of the National Football Development Plan.

"This is a competition which will provide an important link between elite youth football, the Hyundai A-League competition and the national representative teams, not only for players, but also coaches and referees.

Just over half of the games for the season will be played as curtain raisers to regular A-League fixtures and the remainder will be conducted at alternate venues.

Buckley was buoyant about the opportunities the league would create and held high hopes for development in Australia, "For the first time, talented young players will have an opportunity to play regular, quality competitive games regardless of whether they are part of the AIS program, the State sports institutes or the State football leagues.

"Football offers young, talented male athletes fantastic opportunities within Australia as well as unparalleled opportunities to represent Australia on the biggest stage in world sport."