Junior Football (9-12 years)
2024 Registrations:
Registrations Open: 10th February 2024
Registrations Close: 10th March 2024
WHAT:
Junior Football is the players first introduction into the NRF competition-level games and requires travel across the Auckland region for Saturday matches.
WHO:
Junior Football is for ages 9-12 years, including children turning 13 this year.
SEASON DATES:
We normally start the season in the first week of the second school term. The season runs for most of the second and third terms with breaks during the school holidays. The 2024 season will run from Saturday 27th April to Saturday 21st September 2024.
TEAMS:
Teams will be formed once registrations close and will be finalised at the end of March ready for pre-season training. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate all requests for players to be in the same team as others, but we will do our best.
COACHES:
We are always on the look-out for parent volunteers to coach and manage each team. You will be required to be at the weekly trainings and competition games held on Saturday mornings. No previous coaching or managing experience is required. The role of the coach is to manage the number of players in their allocated team each week, to be a point of contact to the parents of the players in their team, to run the weekly practice skill of the week with their team and to assist/referee the games. The role of the manager is to support the coach and organise the team and supporters.
We’re aware that this may be a parent's first foray into the world of football coaching, and we will aim to offer free coaching courses should their child wish to continue their football journey across the age grades.
TRAINING/GAMES:
Trainings are preferably run on either Wednesday or Thursday nights during the season so that all teams are training together and can share resources, coaching skills and have training games if required. It also encourages club culture if we are all supporting each other. Training times will be dictated by the coach and their availability, but trainings usually go for a minimum of one hour once a week.
Games are notified on the NRF website a few weeks in advance, but we note that changes can often be made on the Friday prior to the Saturday game so please ensure you keep in touch with your team manager, so you are aware of any last minute changes. It is expected that players will arrive at the playing venue 30 minutes before their game time to ensure a good team warm-up.
Games are played in the morning, generally anytime between 9am – 12pm.
KIT:
We supply the playing shirts. Upon registration, you will be asked to provide size details for the playing shirt. We will also be providing each player with a training shirt that can also be used as an Away shirt should it be required on Match Day.
In addition, we are requiring all members purchase the compulsory club-selected Adidas black shorts and black socks upon registration for a combined price of $25 - this is a subsidised cost with the club covering the remaining balance. Players must be wearing football boots. Shin guards are compulsory for player safety. Playing kit, supporter wear and accessories will be available to purchase at our club shop (coming soon).
WEATHER/CANCELLATIONS
Football is generally played rain, hail or shine. As we know in NZ, the weather can change multiple times in an hour so please assume that football is ON. If it is deemed bad enough to cancel it, by 8am a post will be put on the WWAFC Facebook page, and a message will be sent to all coaches and managers via TeamReach to relay to their teams.
The team managers will also have access to the NRF cancellation method (for away games) and will notify their teams via TeamReach.
