NPLB 2026
U14, 15, 16, 18s Boys

Welcome to the TUFC NPL Boys Program for 2026.

We are excited to grow our program even further.

Our vision is to be the club of choice for aspiring players in the ACT and to promote a professional environment in which all players develop and grow as people.

TUFC’s Premier League Boys ‘Stronger Teams’ Program was named the most innovative program across the whole of Capital Football!

The Innovative Program of the Year award was presented to TUFC in recognition of our development of the most unique and forward-looking football-related initiative, program, or event.

TUFC demonstrated, above all others, that the aims and objectives of our program align with growing and improving the footballing community of our club both on and off the pitch.

We are extremely proud to have received this award and are aiming to make 2026 even better.

You can read below to learn more about the various aspects of our program.

We believe that winning comes from playing ‘Good Football’.

At TUFC, ‘Good Football’ means that players are given a licence and the confidence to develop ‘Good Football’ techniques and tactics. We teach football that is played Fast, Agressive and Direct (FAD). This means instead of screaming at our players ‘boot it out’, we’re encouraging players to combine in small spaces to play out of trouble, no matter where you are on the field, and to have purpose in play no matter the position on the field and the situation.

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TUFC does not offer players early offers.

Instead, all squads will be selected, on merit, based on trials. As such, you can attend trials with us knowing that you will be treated equally.

TUFC understands that selecting the right program can be a difficult choice. As such, TUFC will not pressure you to join our program by placing restrictions on offers, i.e. we will not rescind your offer if you choose to trial for other clubs. We may, however, ask you to make a decision by a certain date so that we can manage other players.

Tim Davies, TUFC Technical Director

As TUFC TD, Tim is responsible for the development of all coaches and players.

Tim has a long resume of experience and qualifications. Of note include:

• Football Federation Australia B Licence
• AFC Football Federation Australia Level 3 GK Coach Candidate
• Erindale College Sydney FC Academy School Program Head Coach
• Canberra United W-League Goalkeeper Coach
• Capital Football TSP Goalkeeper Coach

Our pre-season camp will be held 6-8 February 2026.

Camp kicks off, on Friday night, with our first-grade players conducting masterclasses based on playing positions. This is always a great opportunity to get know the senior players and learn from the Club’s best players.

On Saturday morning, you’ll make your way to Camp Cottermouth and participate in a wide variety of sessions and activities covering nutrition, injury management, recovery, mental skills, leadership, and fun challenges. In the evening, guest speakers will inspire you.

Sunday morning kicks off with an Hour of Power group fitness session before pack-up, awards, and departure.

Camp is a key pillar in our team building and pre-season preparation. As such, all players are expected to make arrangements to attend in full.

The Amazing Race sees you participate in small teams, visiting checkpoints and undertaking challenges along the way.

You’ll solve problems, navigate, and work as a team to pickup as many points as possible.

This is another excellent opportunity to build teamwork, morale, and get to know your teammates, all while having a heap of fun.

For the winners, in each age group, they’ll each take home a famous Tuggies Showbag!

While we are focused on winning games, through Good Football, and developing players, success is not gained as an individual.

That’s why, at Camp, you’ll attend a session with your teammates where you’ll take ownership of the team culture.

During the session you’ll set goals, make promises, and agree on your team’s values & characteristics.

All this will be summarised on one page and given to you as a reminder of the commitment you’ve all made to the team and its ultimate goal.

Football is not just about the results on the pitch. It’s also about developing people.

That’s why players identified as leaders and for those aspiring to be leaders, both within the football club and outside, will be invited to participate in the TUFC Leadership Program.

The Leadership Program exposes players to various leaders from all walks of life both in-person and through digital content.

Small groups discussions and activities will challenge players to consider what they have learnt and how it might be applied both at football and outside it.

Note: This is a new addition to our program in 2026. As such, the above details may change as we refine the offering.

To help prepare for the season, TUFC hosts a pre-season tournament, the Summer Cup.

You’ll play against three other clubs in a tournament style over multiple weeks, culminating in a finals series.

TUFC is currently liaising with clubs to participate and will announce them soon, along with tournament dates.

While players will undertake conditioning during training sessions, TUFC coaches also offer additional conditioning sessions, especially during the pre-season.

You’ll have the ability to work on your endurance, speed, and agility to help ensure you are ready for the physical challenges of the season.

Move Happy is the TUFC NPL Boys Physiotherapy partner and helps us get injured players back to 100% and back on the park as soon as possible.

At the start of the season, Move Happy will baseline your uninjured physical state so there is comparison data in the event of an injury. Importantly, this includes concussion baselining.

If you do get injured, Move Happy provide a TUFC dedicated post-game triage clinic for injured players that need to be seen promptly. This clinic is used to identify players who need to be seen formally for physiotherapy, referred for imaging, or those who just need to be checked and cleared to play with some adjustments.

If you do require treatment, through your insurance, included in your participation costs, 75% of the cost of treatment is covered (when claiming back). This allows you to be effectively and thoroughly rehabbed without being worried about the burden of the associated costs.

Our 1st Grade Experience gives aspiring players a glimpse into what it is like to play First Grade for TUFC. Coaches select participants based on potential, commitment, and consistent application at training and on game days.

First Grade players will come and watch one of your games, catching up with you after to talk about the game and offer some advice and support. Then, before the First Grade game, you’ll hang out and chat with First Grade Players. You’ll be welcomed into the change room before the game and, during the game, you’ll sit right next to the bench. At halftime, you’ll head back into the sheds and and after the game, back in the sheds, you’ll even join in the team victory song!

This is a unique opportunity to go inside the inner sanctum of a First Grade team and build relationships with senior players and coaches.

Here’s what some of our players thought of their First Grade Experience:

To assist with your development, TUFC is a club that looks to provide players from our NPL Boys program opportunities in NPL U23s.

Each week, 2-3 players are considered to be given the opportunity to train with the U23s squad, helping them be exposed to different coaching, a different level, and making game day integration easier.

In 2024, 11 of TUFC U18s team were given opportunities to play U23s. In 2025, 7 were given opportunities, including in a final.

Where possible, TUFC looks to enter teams into the Kanga Cup.

Tournament football is always a unique experience, providing opportunities to play against different opposition.

In 2025, our U15s NPL Boys won the Kanga Cup Plate division.

360Player, our club-wide platform, provides players and parents/guardians with a one-stop app for all your registration, payment, and information needs.

For each team, 360Player provides a private social wall, group chats, and private chats. Plus, players and parents can RSVP for trainings and games with a simple tap.

Registering for club events such as camps, team building, presentation nights, and the like is a breeze with built-in forms and seamless online payments.

For those wishing to spread payments out, the app allows you to easily set up and stick to a payment plan.