# New Zealand national under-19 schoolboys football team

The New Zealand under-19 secondary schools football team (also known as New Zealand U19 Schoolboys) represents New Zealand in association football at under-19 age-group level. It is controlled by the New Zealand Secondary Schools Football Association (NZSSFA) which is affiliated to New Zealand Football (NZF).

## History
### Overview

The New Zealand U19 schoolboys national team "fills a vital role in the development of the international player pool in New Zealand in the gap between the under-17 and under-20 programs."
As all of New Zealand's top youth players attend secondary school full-time, the player pool for under-19 selections is the same as that of the under-17 program. The process begins with secondary schools nominating their best players to go forward for provincial trials. From this, 36 players are named to a national selection camp where a final 18-man squad is selected for international tournaments.

### Competitions

Historically, the team travels to the United Kingdom every two years and plays against the Centenary Shield U18 and U19 national teams of England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. They have also competed in friendlies and tournaments in Austria, Korea, Australia and the United States. In 2021, the team will resume their four nations contest in the UK.

### Recent Success

In 2013, the New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national team toured the United Kingdom under former Leeds United defender and now acclaimed NZ coach, Danny Hay, and they achieved the best set of results in history. The team drew 1–1 with both England and Scotland, beat Wales 2-1 and were victorious over prestigious five nations Centenary Shield champions, Northern Ireland, 2–0.
As a result of the team's impressive performances in 2013, numerous players including Judd Baker and Sam Brotherton were offered trials with professional clubs in the UK. Judd Baker was eventually signed by Premier League side Swansea City A.F.C. and is also a New Zealand under-20 international. Sam Brotherton, vice-captain of the 2013 squad, has since signed for Sunderland A.F.C. and represented New Zealand at U20, U23 and full international level. Arguably the most successful graduate since the program's inception in 2000 is goalkeeper, Stefan Marinovic, who as a result of his performances in Austria 2008, was offered trials with Everton FC, FC Zurich and FC Schalke 04. He is now the first-choice goalkeeper for the New Zealand senior national team and plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS.

### Rivalries

The team's loose rivals are Trans-Tasman neighbours Australia, having first played each other at Arlington Park, NSW on 25 August 1938. New Zealand has lost to Australia 2-0 in both 2016 and 2019.

## Coaching staff

| Position | Name |
| Head coach | Simon Foy |
| Assistant coach | John Whittle |
| Goalkeeping coach | John Whittle |
| Manager | Neil Penfold |
| Physiotherapist | John O'Driscoll |

## Current squad

The following players were named in the New Zealand U19 Schoolboys final 18-man squad on 10 December 2015 to tour Australia in July 2016.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Apps | Goals | School | Club | Federation Talent Centre |
| GK | Calvin Lee | 5 July 1998 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | Dilworth School | Eastern Suburbs AFC | Auckland |
| GK | Liam Outtrim | 9 June 1998 (age 18) | 3 | 0 | Palmerston North Boys' High | Manawatu United | Central |
| DF | Liam Brown | 27 November 1998 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | Howick College | Fencibles United AFC | Unattached |
| DF | Clarke Foulds | 6 October 1998 (age 17) | 2 | 0 | Westlake Boys' High School | Waitakere United | Northern |
| DF | Jacob Masseurs | 9 July 1998 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | Wellington College | Wanderers SC | Capital |
| DF | Thomas McCloy | 12 January 1999 (age 17) | 3 | 1 | Sacred Heart College | Onehunga Sports FC | Auckland |
| DF | Anton Moore | 22 January 1999 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | Mount Albert Grammar School | Waitakere United | Auckland |
| DF | Chris Walden | 14 May 1998 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | Howick College | Fencibles United AFC | Auckland |
| MF | Quinton Kipara | 25 February 1998 (age 18) | 3 | 0 | St. Peter's College, Cambridge | WaiBop United | Waikato Bay of Plenty |
| MF | Ryan Singh | 2 November 1998 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | Albany Senior High School | East Coast Bays AFC | Northern |
| MF | Lachlan McIsaac | 8 January 1998 (age 18) | 3 | 1 | Hamilton Boys' High School | WaiBop United | Waikato Bay of Plenty |
| MF | Zachary Newdick | 22 August 1998 (age 17) | 3 | 2 | St. Paul's Collegiate | Hamilton Wanderers AFC | Waikato Bay of Plenty |
| MF | Van Roland | 20 February 1999 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | Nelson College | Nelson Falcons | Unattached |
| MF | Oliver Whyte | 20 January 2000 (age 16) | 3 | 0 | Scots College | Wellington Phoenix FC | Capital |
| FW | Drew Farnsworth | 31 March 1998 (age 18) | 2 | 1 | New Plymouth Boys' High School | Team Taranaki | Central |
| FW | Mitchel Hanmore | 15 March 1998 (age 18) | 3 | 2 | Excellere College | North Force FC | Unattached |
| FW | Jake Mechell | 19 Jan 1999 (age 17) | 3 | 1 | St. Peter's College, Cambridge | WaiBop United | Waikato Bay of Plenty |
| FW | Fraser Norrington | 10 October 1998 (age 17) | 3 | 1 | Rongotai College | Miramar Rangers AFC | Capital |
Caps and goals correct at 10 December 2015