INTERMEDIATE GRADES (9-12 Years)“EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW”

Aim

This age group is motivated to learn and so it is a great opportunity to refine technical skills and increase players’ confidence on the ball. They are also more capable of understanding positional play, team work and tactical awareness and we will enhance these concepts to them during the season. At this level the players become involved in competition games. We encourage this competitiveness but place a high emphasis on refining individual technical skills and developing team play. The goalkeeper position is introduced.

How Do We Achieve This?

Players are in set teams and play on a larger fields in a 7 v 7 or 9 v 9 format with longer match durations. Midweek practice sessions are introduced where coaches work on individual skills, positional play and other areas of the game. Players are then able to implement what they have learned at practice during the match on Saturday morning. Maintaining possession during matches is encouraged.

The Role Of The Parent/Caregiver

We require help with washing shirts and shorts, putting up and taking down goal nets for every home game and transport to away games. Positive support of all players is encouraged. Please see the “Code of Conduct Guidelines” for more details. A ball for the kids to kick around at home is beneficial for their skills.

Absentees

If your child won’t be attending a midweek practice or a Saturday match please contact their coach or manager as soon as possible. This should be made directly from parent to the coach or manager and not via another child or parent. For the weekend matches we need to know preferably by Friday night but otherwise before 8am Saturday at the very latest. Our coaches are very busy on Saturday morning and may not have time to deal with calls and texts. We would really appreciate your help with this.

Gear And Kit

All players are required to wear boots and shin pads.For used boots check our box of loan boots, ask other parents, use Trade Me, second handshops or garage sales. For new boots try The Warehouse, Rebel Sport or any sporting goods or footwear shop.Each player receives socks to keep.The club provides shorts and shirts for each player to use. They remain the property of the club.

Practice

Check with the team coach for practice days and times for your child’s team. Attendance at practice is expected and failure to do so may lead to reduced on-field match time.

Kick Off And Arrival Times

Arrive at 9.50am to begin the pre-match skills session at 10am. Please Be On Time. Matchkick off at 10.30am.

Game Duration

50 minutes (2 x 25min halves) 7v7. 7aside

70 minutes (2 x 35min halves) 9v9. 9aside

Pitch Sizes:

7 aside : 50m x 30m approximately. Ball: Size 4.

9 aside : 70m x 40m approximately. Ball: Size 4.

Basic Match Rules

Please  read the " Grade Rules” under the information tab.

Cancellations

Please note that you will only be contacted on Saturday morning if the games are cancelled due to the weather. We make the call at about 8am. Rain and wind will not necessarily stop us from playing. We will almost always be playing. It will only be if the weather is extreme in terms of rain or cold that we cancel. If you don’t hear anything from us by just after 8am then the matches are still on. It is then your call as to whether you want your child to play on that day or not. All we ask is that you let your child’s coach know as soon as possible if they are not going to be there.