Youth Football (U13 to U17 Grade)

2026 Registration Dates

Registrations Open: 15th January 2026

Registrations Close: 15th March 2026

WHAT:

Youth Football is the progression of players from Junior football into more advanced NRF competition-level games and requires travel across the Auckland region for Saturday matches.

At these grades there are two types of competition, the first is community football which is a continuation of the junior grade football and is played on Saturdays. The second is more competitive and teams play in the Auckland region conference and championship leagues, these matches are played on Sundays, there are likely to be trials to qualify for these teams.   

Matches are played on a full sized pitch.

WHO:

Youth Football is for ages 13-17 years, including players turning 18 this year.

The 2026 season is a transition year and the last year that U13 will be classed as youth football, in 2027 it will fall under Junior Football.

SEASON DATES:

The season will kick off on Saturday 2nd May 2026 and will run through to Saturday 5th September 2026 with no football being played on Saturday 30th May 2026 (Kings Birthday weekend) and Saturday 11th July 2026 (Matariki) 

TEAMS:

Teams will be formed once registrations close and will be finalised at the end of March ready for pre-season training. Depending on the number of registrations, teams will either be formed on previous seasons, friendships or ability levels. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate all requests for players to be in the same team as others, but we will do our best. Any players wanting to register after the close date will be placed on a waitlist until sufficient players and coaches are available to create to an additional team. 

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 parents 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 field availability, but trainings usually go for a minimum of one hour once a week.

For those players playing in the Sunday competitions, trainings are likley to be held twice 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 anytime from 9am to 3pm. Games are played on a full-size pitch and with 11 players on each side.

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.

Adidas black shorts and black socks are available to purchase at our club shop. Players must be wearing football boots and Shin guards are compulsory for player safety. Additional supporter wear and accessories are also available to purchase at our club shop. 

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 WAFC 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.

REGISTRATION:

Returning players can log in to their Warkworth FC friendly manager account and add the relevant 2026 season subscription. New players to the club this year must please use the following link to register and create an account - 2026 Registrations