Following a three-year period of analysis, Whole of Football 2.0 has been introduced to further evolve how the game is delivered. 

Among the changes are updated game formats and structures designed to foster a lifelong love of football and prioritise skill development from an early age. 

Research shows that playing smaller formats of the game for longer significantly increases involvement in the game and touches on the ball for players which accelerates skill development, and better prepares participants for the transition to 11 vs 11 football a year later at the U14 age group. 

New Zealand Football’s own research, based on piloting the framework, shows that by going through the new Whole of Football 2.0 player pathway, players on average will accumulate over 3,800 more touches of the ball with goalkeepers more involved in the game, accumulating over 1,300 more goalkeeper actions.

New Game Day Rules For Football:

• First Kicks (4-7 Years)
• Fun Football (8-9 Years)
• Mini Football (10-11 Years)
• Mini Football (12-13 Years)
• Youth Football (14-15 Years)
• Youth Football (16-18 Years)​​​​​​​ ​

The McDonald’s 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.

New Zealand Football has unveiled Whole of Football 2.0, evolving the way football and futsal are delivered to the more than 176,000 players who take part in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest team participation sport.

To support the introduction, McDonald’s, community football’s biggest supporter in Aotearoa New Zealand, will contribute close to $500,000 worth of new goals to clubs across the country, enabling more players to take part in the game.

New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 - Whole of Football 2.0

New Zealand Football Junior Framework - Games & Activities

New Zealand Football Junior Game Cards - Junior Game Cards

New Zealand Football Junior Review - Junior Review

11+ Kids Fit For Football Warm Up - 11+ Kids FFF