The 'National Youth Competition (sponsored as the Holden Cup) is the National Rugby League's competition for the under-20s teams of its sixteen clubs. It commenced in 2008 and was originally known as the Toyota Cup.[1] and is run parallel to the main competition, the Telstra Premiership. The competition consists of teams from the 16 clubs that presently participate in the NRL competition, fielding squads made up of players between the ages of 17 and 19.[2] The draw and structure mirrors the NRL, with games played as lead-ins to the corresponding first-grade NRL games.[3] The competition uses a salary cap in the same way as first-grade NRL, and puts a heavy focus on life outside of football for the players.[4] Matches are traditionally played prior to NRL games including the premiership final which is played in the same venue prior the NRL Grand Final.
The New Zealand Warriors are the most successful club in the National Youth Competition's short history, with three premierships already to their name, both coming in 2010, 2011 and in 2014. In 2013 the U20's premiership was won by the Penrith Panthers.
The National Youth Competition is the National Rugby League's Under 20's premiership. First run in 2008, this competition runs parallel to the senior competition and each game is played before the game of the National Rugby League premiership.
The Toyota Cup Player of the Year award is the premier individual award in the Toyota Cup. The voting for the award is similar to the Dally M Medal voting, where after each Toyota Cup game 3 points are awarded to the best player on ground, 2 points to the second and 1 point to the third. So far, every winner of the award has gone onto play first grade in the NRL. The inaugural winner was Ben Hunt from the Brisbane Broncos in 2008. Hunt is also the youngest player to win the award, at age 18 years, 5 months and 13 days.
The Jack Gibson Medal is awarded to the man of the match of the Toyota Cup grand final. The award is named after legendary rugby league coach, Jack Gibson. Gibson, who guided Eastern Suburbs to premierships in 1974 and 1975, the Parramatta Eels to three successive premierships from 1981 to 1983 and was named coach of the Team of the Century, died in 2008.
Free To Air: Channel 9 show the Grand Final as part of the Grand Final Coverage.[5]
Subscription television: FOX Sports show 2 games live every weekend, live coverage of the Toyota Cup precede Fox Sports' Super Saturday and Sunday live NRL coverage.[6]
All New Zealand Warriors home games in the U20's competition are shown live by Sky NZ.[5]Māori Television also broadcasts Ngāti NRL, a series that focuses on young Māori and Pacific Islanders who travel to Australia and play in the Toyota Cup.[7]
2014 National Youth Competition (rugby league) season
Australia (15 teams)
New Zealand (1 team)
New Zealand Warriors (2014)
Canberra Raiders
Brisbane Broncos
Melbourne Storm
Wests Tigers
Manly Sea Eagles
South Sydney Rabbitohs
North Queensland Cowboys
Canterbury Bulldogs
Penrith Panthers
Newcastle Knights
The Brisbane Broncos Under 20s side is coached by Kurt Richards.
The Canberra Raiders Under 20s side is coached by Andrew Dunemann.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Under 20s side is coached by Andrew Patmore.
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Under 20s side is coached by James Shepherd.
The Gold Coast Titans Under 20s side is coached by Jamie O'Connor.
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Under 20s side is coached by Luke Williamson.
The Melbourne Storm Under 20s side is coached by Dean Pay.
The New Zealand Warriors Under 20s side is coached by Stacey Jones
The Newcastle Knights Under 20s side is coached by Michael Crawley.
The North Queensland Cowboys Under 20s side is coached by Todd Wilson.
The Parramatta Eels Under 20s Side is coached by Steve Speechley.
The Penrith Panthers Under 20s side is coached by Garth Brennan.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs Under 20s side is coached by Ben Gardiner.
The St. George Illawarra Dragons Under 20s side is coached by Justin Holbrook.
The Sydney Roosters Under 20s side is coached by Paul Green & assisted by Anthony Barnes
The Wests Tigers Under 20s side is coached by Todd Payten.
