NZ Football dumps 'pay to play' policy

NZ U17s players congratulate Alex Rufer (C) after he scored during the Auckland City vs NZ U17 friendly match. Photo / Sarah Ivey

New Zealand Football's controversial `pay to play' policy for national age group teams has been dumped.

In 2013 NZF asked players who were selected for tournaments to contribute towards the costs of sending teams away and running the international programme.

As an example, each of the 21 New Zealand players selected for that year's Under-17 World Cup had to chip in $2000, though that figure was later reduced by 50 per cent.

It was an unpopular and highly criticised move. NZF has significant costs - up to $250,000 per two year cycle for each of their eight national teams - but the initiative was described as 'a return to the dark ages' by former All White Sam Malcolmson.

Now NZF High Performance Director Fred de Jong says the organisation is in a position to withdraw that policy.

"Previously New Zealand Football has required a payment from those involved in our age-group sides to ensure the costs of providing the highest possible standard of programme could be met," de Jong said.

"With significant developments in our internal structures and resources in recent times, we're now in a position to remove that requirement from the players involved in our age-group programme."

The New Zealand Men's U-17 side recently qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in October while the Men's U-20 side will compete in the FIFA U-20 World Cup at home in May.