Football Victoria (FV) is delighted to announce that, following a comprehensive application process, five clubs have been granted entry into the Advanced Junior Boys Structure for the 2026 season.
Earlier this year, we confirmed a new structure for the Junior Boys Program which reflected extensive feedback provided by the football community within the current model and supports the broader goals of FV’s 2024–2028 Strategic Framework: to enhance competition pathways, remove participation and retention barriers, and identify and nurture young talent across the state.
In collaboration with relevant FV departments, the extensive list of applicants was narrowed down to five Clubs who strongly fit the criteria presented, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to their Junior Boys Programs.
The successful clubs are:
- Boroondara Eagles FC
- Doreen United SC
- Keilor Park SC
- Monash City Villareal FC
- Preston Lions FC
FV's Head of Competitions, Frank Karatzas, spoke about the process taken to select these five clubs and congratulated them on the achievement.
“We had so many strong applicants to work through, which is a real credit to the strength of the football landscape across the state.
“Congratulations to our five successful clubs – we can’t wait to see what you bring to the competition in 2026.
“While we understand many clubs will be disappointed after missing out this year, the advanced boys structure remains open, and all clubs will have the chance to be promoted at the end of 2026.”
FV congratulates these five Clubs who will compete within the Boys Youth State League Competition and looks forward to an exciting first season of a new look Advanced Junior Boys Structure for the 2026 season.
Confirmed 2026 League Structures
After the conclusion of the 2025 JBNPL Regular Season and the introduction of the five new clubs, the 2026 League Structures have now been confirmed.
Key Changes from 2026
1. Whole-of-club evaluation
From 2026, clubs will have all their age groups (U13–U18) evaluated as one.
- Each age group will still compete in its own league
- However, an aggregate club ladder will track results, goals for/against, and total points across all teams
2. New competition naming convention
The JBNPL name will be replaced with a clearer, tiered competition structure:
- Boys Victorian Youth Premier League 1 (BVYPL1) – 16 clubs, 30 rounds
- Boys Victorian Youth Premier League 2 (BVYPL2) – 16 clubs, 30 rounds
- The Boys Victorian Youth Premier Leagues 1 & 2 will be comprised of 16 clubs who will play each other twice over 30 Rounds.
- Boys Youth State League 1 North-West (BYSL1NW) – 10 clubs, 27 rounds
- Boys Youth State League 1 South-East (BYSL1SE) – 10 clubs, 27 rounds
- The Boys Youth State League 1 North-West & South-East will comprise of 10 clubs who will play each other three times over 27 Rounds.
3. Expanded club participation
- League structures for each league will be based off 2025 JBNPL results and ladder positions
- An additional five clubs will enter the structure, bringing the total number of clubs up to 52 from 47. These new clubs will begin in the Youth State League 1 division.
4. Age group adjustments
- A new Under 13s competition will be introduced. Clubs are recommended to use box-to-box field dimensions in preparation for full-sized U14 matches.
- The U17 age group will revert to U18s.
- The five junior age groups from 2026 will be: U13, U14, U15, U16, U18
5. Introduction of Promotion & Relegation
The new structure allows clubs to move up or down the Junior Boy’s competition tiers based on their aggregate performance.
At the end of each season:
- The bottom 2 clubs from BVYPL1 will be relegated to BVYPL2
- The top 2 clubs from BVYPL2 will be promoted to BVYPL1
- The bottom 2 clubs from BVYPL2 will be relegated to BYSL
- The club finishing first in each of the BYSL leagues will be promoted to BVYPL2
- Each of the bottom clubs in BYSL N/W & S/E will be relegated out of the pyramid
Examples
- EXAMPLE 1: FC Bulleen Lions competing in BVYPL1 have a combined total of 52 points across their 5 age groups finishing in 8th position on the combined ladder. Although some age groups are strong than others, their accumulated points total means the hold their BVYPL1 position for 2027.
- EXAMPLE 2: Murray United FC competing in BVYPL2 in 2026 have all but one of their age groups performing strongly, although that one team has not performed well the club finishes 2nd at the end of the season and is eligible to be promoted up into BVYPL1 for 2027.
6. Pathway for Aspiring Clubs
Excitingly, two new clubs outside the current structure will have an opportunity to be promoted up into the BYSL from the conclusion of the 2026 season.
To be eligible to be offered a position, clubs must:
- Have entered teams in “A” competitions in each of the five junior age groups
- Meet facility standards
- Meet coaching requirements
These changes are designed to:
- Encourage club-wide development rather than isolated team success
- Improve technical standards across all levels
- Create a clear, merit-based pathway for clubs and players
- Provide greater certainty through full-season fixtures and a stable structure