Canberra United have being granted a license for a team in the Foxtel National Youth League.

Capital Football can confirm today that Canberra United has been granted a licence for a team in the 2017/18 Foxtel National Youth League (NYL), providing a pathway for aspiring male footballers in the ACT to compete at a high level against their peers.

Capital Football Technical Director Scott O’Donell said that the admission of Canberra United into the NYL will provide a pathway for the ACT’s best young male footballers.

“Up until now the girls in the ACT have had the Westfield W-League (WWL) side to aspire towards, but the boys have had no such pathway to aim themselves along.

“This now means that our male footballers at all levels, beginning at Miniroos, coming through the juniors and into the PS4 National Premier League, can aim towards this program and beyond.”

Capital Football CEO Phil Brown reiterated O’Donell’s comments, and added his appreciation for the inclusion of the side.

“This is a great development for youth football in the ACT,” Brown said.

“The creation of a clear pathway for our best young male footballers is a boost for the talent we have waiting to come through.

“We would like to thank the FFA and HAL clubs for welcoming Canberra United into the National Youth League”.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Capital Football Board, in particular Chairman Mark O’Neill, who were instrumental in realising this opportunity”, Brown added.

Canberra Olympic's PS4 NPL Head Coach Frank Cachia said that the inclusion was positive news and a leg-up for the ACT's youth footballers, but also a boost for coaches and officials who can become involved.

“This is a great thing for Canberra football," Cachia said.

"One of the things we lack is regular high-level competition against teams from different areas and regions that play different styles, so this can only be a good thing for the progression of football in Canberra.”

"The other thing I look at is it is a great opportunity for local coaches if they can get involved," he said.

"There’s a number of different aspects, and it opens up doors for referees and officials to get involved in that sort of national competition."

The announcement follows the appointment of four Canberra referees to the Foxtel National Youth League panel for the upcoming season. Alex Twomey, Hamish Driver-Rae, Harry Shield and Nathan Shakespear all received a call up to the Y-League group.

Further details regarding the Canberra United NYL side will be announced shortly.