Te Aroha Cobras Junior AFC

GRADING AGES

The list below is an age guideline to the grade your child/ren will be playing in. Grades are determined by the calendar year in which children were born.

2024 SEASON

5th Grade 2019 (we do accept some 4 year olds depending on confidence and ability)

6th Grade 2018

7th Grade 2017

8th Grade 2016

9th Grade 2015

10th Grade 2014

11th Grade 2013

12th Grade 2012

U14 Youth Leagues 2011 - 2010

Please ensure you have the correct date of birth as this information becomes part of New Zealand Football’s official record of the player and will remain so as they progress through junior, youth and senior football.

MCDONALD'S FIRST KICKS (5-6 YEARS)

Early engagement for players as young as 5 years old into the game helps allow the children to opportunity to discover the game, provide for learning basic fundamental movement skills and create positive football experiences.

GUIDELINES:

No competitive game.
Children play together informally to meet the personal/emotional needs of the youngsters.
Lots of chances to score goals and enjoy mini challenges.
Encourage participation in a variety of additional activities to develop physical literacy (e.g. running, jumping, throwing, etc).
Parents and game leaders bring out the fun of football through guiding and supporting their children to understand the basic rules of first kicks football.
Games will be played interchangably between Morrinsville and Te Aroha.

MCDONALD’S FUN FOOTBALL (7-8 YEARS)

At this age, football should be primarily played in a playful environment that emphasises self-discovery. This continuity into early engagement develops crucial factors for the future of the players such as the love for the game, game intelligence and physical literacy.

Built on a common fundamental skills base, all players can be empowered to progress back and forth between the different pathways at a later stage. Players are more aware of the rules of the game and start to recognise the opportunities to play with and for each other. They are able to develop basic football techniques and during training can be exposed to games that have specific technical outcomes such as developing shooting techniques under pressure by an opponent.

It is the role of parents and game leaders to support their understanding through enabling all players the opportunity to play without restrictions and too much instruction.

GUIDELINES:

Emphasise playing games with minimal interference from game leaders and parents.
Favour as many opportunities as possible to play football – ‘let the game be the teacher’.
Offer activities where excitement and enjoyment are the main objectives and extrinsic factors such as winning are not emphasised.
The recommended number of hours in a formal environment is 2-3 per week across a 20-25 week season.
Football activities outside the formal environment (Fun Football Centres and Holiday programmes) along with others sporting activities should be encouraged to reinforce physical literacy and initial game understanding.
Let the player’s play with minimum restrictions and little instruction – ‘keep it simple’.
Keep the adult pressures of winning out of fun football.
Location of games will be fixed and TBA

MCDONALD’S MINI FOOTBALL (9-12 YEARS)

These ages are the skill hungry years. Motivationally, children are geared to learn skill at this time, providing ideal opportunity for building football specific skills into fundamental movement ability.

These golden years of player development require coaches to work on cementing individual technical excellence so that well rounded and technically proficient players are ready to make the step to youth football and the 11v11 game. Pitch sizes and player numbers increase with the progression in the small sided games concept from 7v7 to 9v9 Mini Football.

Players are cognitively more capable of understanding how to play more effectively with their teammates to either score or prevent goals. At this stage basic positions within simple team structures are introduced to develop a basic tactical understanding of the game.

Pre-selection or initial talent identification of gifted and committed players is conducted as players are teamed up with others of similar ability.

GUIDELINES:

Focus during this period should still be around deliberate play with key opportunities to refine technical skills and develop further game intelligence with increased number of teammates (5v5, 7v7 to 9v9).
Develop confidence as a vital ingredient for future participation and performance by fostering and reinforcing the achievement of basic goals for each player.
The recommended number of hours in a formal environment is 3-4 per week across a 20-25 week season. For the most talented and willing players it is recommended that 4-6 hours per week are accumulated across a 40 week season.
Football activities outside the formal environment and other sporting activities are encouraged to reinforce physical literacy and game intelligence.
Leagues are introduced at this stage, however emphasis is on learning opportunities and fun.
Speed and agility are the key physical qualities to develop in every training session.

HOW IT WORKS

Game Day - All games are played on Saturday mornings between 9am - 1pm.

First Kicks 5/6/7th grade: 5 a-side, 30 x 20 m pitch, teams play in a Thames Valley Westside competition on Saturday mornings playing two approx. 20min games. Focus is on individual skill and confidence development.

8th grade: 5-a-side, 30 x 20 pitch, home and away system in Waikato League. Playing 2 x 20 min games. Focus still on individual skills.

9/10th grade: 7-a-side, 55 x 35 pitch, goal keepers and offside rule introduced. Focus shifts to teamwork and starting positional play.

11/12th grade: 9-a-side 70 x 50 pitch, goal keepers and offsides. Focus on teamwork and positioning.

There are no league tables in junior football but results are still sent in to ensure even matchups.

When playing in Te Aroha the first team to play on any pitch sets up goals, nets and flags. The team playing last on that pitch puts them away in the shed. Sometimes it will be the same team doing both jobs. Please help the coach out by taking care of these tasks - they are very busy on game days.

Game schedules are at www.waibopfootball.co.nz

UNIFORM

Team Shirt and Shorts. This is provided by the club and is only worn during the games . Refer our strip agreement under Code of Conduct.
A pair of knee length Gold socks can be purchased from the club or local sports stores.
Soccer Boots are required, some 2nd hand pairs are available for exchange or donations from the club.
Boots and shin pads are compulsory for junior soccer in the Waikato.

GIRLS LEAGUES

Where we have the player numbers for a full girls league team, TAC will endeavour to enter teams in these grades. Where we don't have the numbers available for dedicated girls league teams, girls will play mixed for those grades.

U8 for 7/8th grade players

U10 for 9/10th grade players

U13 for 11/12/13th grade players

The girls league plays at the same time as the mixed league.

PLEASE CARE FOR OUR GEAR

All the equipment that the children use is paid for by membership fees and donations. This includes balls, goals and nets, corner flags, jerseys and other practice equipment. Please take care of our gear and make sure it is put away tidily in the shed at the end of games and practice.

Note that team strip is the biggest expense the club faces. Please wear them only on Saturday mornings.

REFEREES

Usually the coach, or a parent from each team, referees half a match each. Players, parents and other supporters need to be aware that the referee's decision is final under all circumstances. Waibop has a zero tolerance approach to referee abuse.

WET WEATHER

Saturday morning games are played regardless of the weather and will only be cancelled if the grounds are flooded. Your team manager will let you know if your game has been cancelled or transferred.

It is usually up to the coach to decide for each team if they will practice in wet weather but if the fields are flooded the club will notify all coaches and managers.

HIGH LEVEL SPORT

For players aged 9-13 who want to acheive at a higher level Hamlton and Cambridge Clubs run Skill Centre programs. Feel free to discuss this with the club and what we can offer or recommend for your needs.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Everyone involved in the club comes under a NZ Football Code of Conduct, including supporters. Te Aroha Cobras asks that you model fair-play to the players at all times. For more information about Codes of Conduct, refer to our Club Information section.