FIRST KICKS (GRADES 4 TO 7)

First Kicks is aimed at those turning 4, 5, 6 or 7 this year.

We follow New Zealand Football’s nationwide football framework to teach core skills, play simplified games and have a whole load of fun!

We usually have around 200 kids registered and playing First Kicks each season. It’s superb to see the turf humming, and you’re most welcome to come along and give it a go first to see if your player is keen.

When

U4-U6: Fridays, 5 pm-6 pm from early May through to the end of August. 

U7: Fridays, 6 pm-7 pm from early May through to the end of August. 

We take a break over the Term 2/3 school holiday. 

Where

Artificial football turf at Maidstone Park, Park Road (opposite Parapine ITM). 

Video: the video above is a little out of date, but the kids are just too cute, so we’re leaving it here until it can be updated.

What

We follow the New Zealand Football Junior Framework that encourages a variety of skill development and is all about building the foundation for future years. We are firm advocates of the CoachMate mobile app, used by NZ Football.  This provides a wide variety of suitably skilled training videos.

The first part of the session is made up of three station rotations (around 10 minutes each) that focus on each training area including general movement, football coordination, football technique and small-sided games.

Then we play a game for the remainder of the time.

Teamwork – how you can help

We usually have a few players from our youth grade (U15-U17) helping out as part of their Duke of Edinburgh programme, and we also love First Kicks parents who volunteer to set-up/pack-up of gear or as “game leaders” to help deliver the fun.

The game leader role is far more about making sure they’re having fun than any technical football job. We provide very easy demonstration videos each week, and we always love coaches who are keen to get a bit inventive.

If you enjoy administration, we’re always keen to grow our fab volunteer base. Please contact our Junior Captain for more info juniors@upperhuttcityfootball.org.nz

Thanks to our generous sponsor Farrahs!

Local Upper Hutt business Farrah’s have been proud sponsors of UHCF First Kicks programme for a few years now. As a club we are extremely grateful for their ongoing support for our youngest budding footballers.

Please do support this wonderful sponsor.

You can find more info including great recipe ideas on their website, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and of course, purchase those delicious Farrah’s wraps from local retailers.

Registrations

We can still be able to take some late registrations for the 2026 season - please contact juniors@upperhuttcityfootball.org.nz!

Game rules

To ensure each player has as many touches of the ball as possible, and young players concentrate on skills that are best suited to their age, we play a simplified version.

  • No goalies.

  • No offside.

  • No corners.

  • Kick/dribble in instead of throw-ins.

  • Attacking team returns to the halfway line for a goal kick.

FAQs – frequently asked questions

My child is new to football, can we turn up and give it a go first?

Yes, so long as we haven’t reached our maximum registrations. Contact our First Kicks administrator to check first, firstkicksuhcf@gmail.com 

Is there a uniform?

For the U4-6 First Kicks grades, the uniform consists of just the t-shirt we give you once you’re registered and paid up.   This shirt is for you to keep!

For U7, we provide a different shirt, similar to the older grades in our club.  These shirts must be returned at the end of the season.

At this age, it’s more about fun than having a perfect uniform, so shorts and socks are your choice. Many of our players have gear passed down from older players, so it’s not unusual to see the wider club uniform adopted by some of our players, but it’s not compulsory.

Are any bits of gear compulsory?

Shin pads are an absolute must ($15-$20) as feet can get a little crazy at this early stage of play.

Does my child have to wear boots?

Boots can sometimes be pretty expensive! If your child is just giving it a go, come in sports shoes and buy the boots when you know for sure they are into it. Boots give grip on our turf surface (which can be slippery with dew or rain) and also allow players to get better contact on the ball.

Can I buy gear second-hand?

The club often has boot/gear sales at the start of the season. Follow the club Facebook page to stay in touch with the latest. 

What happens if my child is absent?

Absences are a fact of life in winter for sickness or family occasions, and that’s built into the flexible way we run our game days. We simply ask that if parents are game leaders, they can give our grade manager a heads-up as soon as they can to help with planning on the day.

When do you cancel, and how will I find out?

We play on artificial turf, so we usually just play on as typically the kids love playing in the rain – it’s us parents who get cold, not moving around under umbrellas. If it’s set to be cold, wet and windy, we’ll make the rare decision to cancel. Notifications will go up on our First Kicks parent Facebook group , and we’ll send out an email alert before a pre-determined time.

Like to know more?

If there’s anything else you’d like to know please get in touch with us.