New Zealand under-19 schoolboys national football team

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."[1]

The under-19 schoolboys national team gives talented domestic players, who either graduated the under-17 national team, missed U17 selection due to age, were overlooked by New Zealand Football or have undergone significant development in football since the under-17 process, an opportunity to represent New Zealand before the national under-20 program.

The process for representation at U19 schoolboys level follows this pattern: secondary schools around New Zealand nominate their best players to go forward for provincial trials. As all of New Zealand's top youth players also attend secondary school full-time, the player pool for under-19 selections is the same as that of the under-17 program. From these trials, 36 players are named to attend a national selection camp. From this camp, a final 18-man squad including 2 goalkeepers is selected.

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 toured Austria, Korea and Australia, and in 2018 will be touring America.[2]

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.[3]

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.

A number of others have pursued their careers in Australia's highest professional football league, the A-League, as well as in the semi-professional/professional Australian National Premier Leagues (2nd Division). The team is however particularly well known for producing recruits to America's top college competition, the NCAA Division 1. Others have remained in New Zealand and continued their playing careers in New Zealand's top football league, the ASB Premiership.

The New Zealand Schoolboys' loose rivals are Trans-Tasman neighbors Australia. The two teams' history dates back to 25 August 1938, where the NZ Schoolboys played their first international in Australia at Arlington Park, Dulwich Hill, New South Wales. In July 2016, Australia beat the New Zealand Schoolboys 2–0 on home soil.