Jong AZ, or AZ Alkmaar Youth, is the reserve team of Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, competing in the Eerste Divisie. Based at the AFAS Stadion training complex, the team serves as the crucial final step in the club's renowned youth development pathway. Unlike most reserve sides, Jong AZ operates as a permanent fixture in the second tier, providing a competitive environment for the club's brightest prospects. The team was formally integrated into the professional league system to bridge the gap between youth football and the first team. Its history is defined by the development of future stars, with numerous players graduating to become key figures for AZ and the Dutch national team. The current squad is a collection of highly talented teenagers and young adults, playing the possession-based, attacking football synonymous with AZ's philosophy. While they cannot be promoted to the Eredivisie, their success is measured in player progression. Jong AZ is a vital component of one of the Netherlands' most productive academies.