Football Victoria is excited to announce a refreshed structure for the Junior Boys Competition from the 2026 season.
These changes aim to promote an aligned club approach, stronger technical outcomes and support with club resourcing and facility usage. Importantly, it introduces a structure that allows aspirational clubs to enter and move up the junior boys’ pyramid, enabling certainty for clubs & participants with a full fixture release prior to season.
The new structure reflects 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 & nurture young talent across the state.
An explainer video is available below to guide you through the key changes:
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
Football Victoria Interim CEO Dan Birrell welcomed the changes and said that they now ensure the junior boys structure aligns to the strategic framework of FV.
"This is an extremely exciting moment for junior football in this state and one that has come off the back of months of hard work undertaken by FV staff and our clubs.
"These changes to the junior boys structure promote investment across all elements of a club and each of their junior boys teams, they make the pathways to success clearer for all and they will create an environment where Victoria is producing excellent talent coming out of healthy clubs.
"We made it clear in our strategic framework that we would focus on our key pillars - our clubs and competitions, our participants, our pathways, our facilities and our future - these changes ensure we are doing exactly that."
Football Victoria's Head of Competitions Frank Karatzas said that this was an exciting change and one that aims to build strong clubs and provide more opportunities to clubs wanting to improve.
"This is an exciting step for juniors boys football and one which we hope will build momentum for future years.
"Where we have landed today has come off the back of 18 months of work with current advanced clubs, community clubs and both internal & external stakeholders.
"We want to make it evident, that we are looking to build strong clubs who have strong programs. Additionally, it is an opportunity for clubs currently not in the pyramid to enter and move up the structure.
"We will continue to look to provide off-field technical elements to this space in the seasons ahead to ensure that players are being developed."
We understand that with any change, there may be questions or concerns. We’re committed to continuing our collaboration with clubs, coaches, and communities as we implement this exciting next chapter in Victorian Junior Boys football.
For more information:
- Watch the explainer video
- Contact the FV Advanced Competitions Department