Game Days for 8th & 9th Grade

(Players born 2017 & 2018)

These grades are run in-house.

When are games?

• Saturday mornings

• 8th Grade: 8:30am kick-off (subject to change)

• 9th Grade: 9:30am kick-off (subject to change)

• Start date: Saturday 2nd May in line with the 10 - 12th grades

Where are games played?

• We are working with Clevedon FC, to run a rotating Saturday morning format.

• McLennan Park

• Clevedon A & P Showgrounds

No games:

• King’s Birthday Weekend (30th May)

• Matariki / School Holiday weekend (11th July)(Subject to change by NRF)

Why is it different to last year?

8th Grade (previously Small Whites) and 9th Grade will be transitioning under New Zealand Football’s Whole of Football 2.0 plan.

- The format for these age groups is 5v5 with goalkeepers. 

- Games are 3 x 15 minutes

- Teams will be made up of 8 -9 players

Game Days for 10th–12th Grade

(Players born 2014–2016)

These grades are run by Northern Region Football (NRF).

When are games?

• Saturdays

• Between 9:00am – 12:30pm (timings depend on each club's field scheduling)

• Start date: Saturday 2nd May

Where are games played?

• Home games: McLennan Park

• Away games: Teams travel around South Auckland / Franklin

No games:

• King’s Birthday Weekend (30th May)

• Matariki / School Holiday weekend (11th July)(Subject to change by NRF)

What is different to last year?

There have been changes across all age groups under the New Zealand Football Whole of Football 2.0 plan.

• The format for 10th & 11th Grade is 7v7 with goalkeepers. Teams will be made up of approx. 10 players
  
• The format for 12th Grade is 9v9 with goalkeepers. Teams will be made up of approx. 12 players
• Games are 2 x 20 - 25 minute halves for 10th & 11th grade. 
• Games are 2 x 25 - 30 minute halves for 12th grade.
  

When & Where Is Training?

Training sessions for all Juniors are held at:

• Opaheke Sports Park

• Occasionally McLennan Park

Training day and times will be based on parent / volunteer coach once teams are formed alongside field space availability.

Communication

General communication will be emailed and posted in these places:

- Junior Facebook group (Junior & Youth Facebook Group)

- Main club Facebook page. 

Draws (10th - 12th Grade)

• Can be found on the NRF website under NRF South Auckland Junior Competitions.
  
• Team Coaches and Managers are responsible for checking where and when each team is playing and informing the team.
  
• Fixtures are confirmed Friday evenings so make sure there have been no changes.

Cancellations

• Generally communicated from NRF to club admin and posted on the NRF Facebook page as soon as a decision between NRF & the Auckland Council has been made (in the case of bad weather throughout the week).
  
• Coaches & Managers of affected teams will be emailed to share the information with their teams. This can sometimes happen as late notice as early Saturday morning.
  
• If you don't hear anything, assume it's ON!
  
• Please do not contact club admins to ask if sessions are on prior to these times as we won't know and our phones get tied up, stopping us from getting updates out.

What Gear Do We Need?

All players must have:

•  Shinpads (compulsory for safety)

• Long Adidas blue socks

• Adidas blue soccer shorts

• Boots (no metal sprigs)

• Club playing shirt (provided for the season)

Please:

• Wear the club shirt for game days only & take care of it throughout the season

Gear is available through our FootballHQ Club Shop and at advertised pop up gear nights.

Club jackets and hoodies are also available online.