Manly United backed youth in NPL NSW. Now another teen has earned an Australia call-up

Manly United’s commitment to youth has delivered another international reward, with Ned Howell earning selection for the Joeys.

Howell has been named in Australia’s U16 squad for the upcoming CFA Invitational in China, where the Joeys will face Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic and China PR.

Among the 45 players selected across Australia’s latest U16 and U17 squads, the Manly youngster is the only one currently representing an NPL club and his selection continues an emerging trend at Cromer Park.

Just over a month ago, Manly defender Jasper Chipman earned a Young Socceroos call-up - also as the only NPL-based player in his Australian squad.

It follows a 2026 season in which Manly made a deliberate commitment to giving young players opportunities in senior football.

The club fielded the youngest starting XI on average in NPL NSW outside the A-League academy teams, with teenagers regularly featuring throughout the campaign.

Around 70 per cent of Manly’s senior squad came through Northern Beaches grassroots clubs, while six U20 players were promoted into the first-grade environment ahead of the season and the approach still delivered results.

Under Vladimir Knezevic, Manly finished fifth and reached the NPL NSW finals for the first time since 2022 before falling in the semis.

Now that pathway is earning recognition at international level.

Chipman, who joined Manly as a nine-year-old and progressed through the club’s junior system, has already stepped into the Young Socceroos.

Howell is the latest.