ABOUT THE CLUB

We play in the WaiBop Waikato leagues from 8th grade up consisting of games predominantly at home and in Hamilton but also requiring some travel to areas further afield such as Thames, Cambridge, Ngaruawhahia and Te Awamutu.

Our First kicks teams and 7th grade play in a Thames Valley Westside competion with Paeroa, Hauraki and Thames clubs.

Our home ground is Boyd Park Te Aroha, this is where we hold trainings (determined by each coach for day and times) and home games. We have one of the best ground facilities in the Waikato with amazing views and clubroom facilities.

FOOTBALL FRAMEWORK

Football is run through the NZ Football Junior Framework which provides a consistent, coordinated national approach to the development of junior players. Whether children enjoy football because it’s a fun way to make friends or they’re inspired to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and play on the world stage, the Junior Framework has been developed to kick-start their dreams.

The Junior Framework provides a consistent, coordinated national approach to the development of junior players. Its main aim is to provide all junior players with high quality football experiences that increase both skill levels and the passion for playing football.

Through the Junior Framework players will experience age appropriate football games and coaching in a programme that is specifically tailored to meet their football wants and needs.

THE JUNIOR FRAMEWORK OFFERS AGE APPROPRIATE GAMES, FORMATS AND TRAINING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING AGE GROUPS:

  • First Kicks (5-7 years old) - 5v5 format
  • Fun Football (8-10 years old) - 7v7 format
  • Mini Football (11-13 years old) - 9v9 format

PRINCIPLES

Underpinning the Junior Framework are the following principles, which provide clear structure for programmes to be developed under.

  1. Accumulation of hours and number of touches
  2. Early engagement
  3. Recognising development age of the player
  4. Training emphasis periods
  5. Four corners approach (incorporating the Physical / Mental / Social-Emotional / Technical-Tactical abilities of players)
  6. Age appropriate games

SMALL SIDED GAMES - THE KEY INGREDIENT

Street football across the world has been instrumental in the development of world-class players, and small sided games are the cornerstone of developing technically proficient and creative football players in a New Zealand context.

The benefits of small sided games extend far beyond technical and tactical development. They ensure children develop an innate love for the game and remain in our sport for longer.

For further and in-depth details about the Junior Framework, please click on this link