Mini Football 9 - 12 years old
Mini Football (ages 9 – 12)
What is it?
Mini Football is for players aged 9 – 12. Our focus at these ages is team structure, mastering ball coordination and developing technical capability. Players play in 7v7 (9-10) or 9v9 (11- 12) games and train 1-2 times per week.
Who is it for?
We allocate players to a grade based on the age they will be on the 31st of December in the year they are playing.
For Example, Under 11 means that the player will be 11 on the 31st of December.
When and Where do we play?
Social teams play in the Wellington/Western Zone and games can be played from Miramar in the south to Ngatitoa domain in the north.
Streamed teams play in the Wellington Regional Leagues and games are played anywhere in the Wellington region, including the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast.
Grades 9 & 10 play 2 x 25-minute games on a Saturday morning. These are generally played as 2 x 12-minute halves, with a short break in the middle. Each team plays with seven players on the field, one of whom is the goalkeeper. The team can also have several substitutes which allows for injury and other absences.
Grades 11 & 12 play 1 x 50-minute game each Saturday. This is broken up into 2 x 25-minute halves. Each team plays with nine players on the field, one of whom is the goalkeeper. The team can also have several substitutes which allows for injury and other absences.
Equipment & Clothing
All players require the following equipment:
- Shin Pads! Listed first and in bold because they are the most important. No shin pads no game no exceptions!
- Water bottle
- Playing shirt – the Club provides all players with a playing shirt
- Playing socks *
- Playing shorts*
- Appropriate footwear
Football is a Winter sport. There will be games where conditions are less than ideal, so we would suggest having the following on hand, especially when the weather is a bit rough. Junior Players are welcome to play with clothing underneath their kits and with beanies on:
- Thermals
- Warm winter hat
- Spare change of clothes
- A towel
* All club apparel can be purchased via Inter Football.
Registration Details
The fees for 2024 are $165.00.
*See regional teams heading for information on additional costs for regional sides in 2024*
Registrations for the 2024 Winter Season are open from 09/02/2024 until 31/03/2024.
Players wishing to register for Festival days/Trials need to be registered by 01/03/2024.
Regional Teams
We have made changes to the way our regional sides in grades 11 and 12 will operate for the 2024 season. Regional sides in grades 13 and 15 will remain the same as in previous years.
Here is a brief outline of the changes to the selection process, and the training/fee structure.
Selection
U11, U12 and U12 GOSL players will be given the option to try to be selected for a regional pool of players for their age group.
From the trial, a training group of 24 players (maximum) will be selected. If we do not have enough players for 2 teams, we will operate with a team of 12.
These players will then train as a group for 3 weeks before a final selection is made between an A and B side for the age group. (both teams will train together throughout the season)
Training
Each Regional Pool will be assigned a “Club Coach” to work alongside their volunteer team coaches and facilitate training sessions with the assistance of the Junior Development Manager.
Volunteer coaches will take their respective teams each weekend.
These club coaches have committed to upskilling through NZF, qualifications throughout the 2024 season.
Each of the regional Pools will train twice per week 1 session on artificial turf (Newlands Intermediate Likely venue) and 1 session on grass (the grass session will be in an area of Alex Moore that is not affected by cancellations)
Cost
With the change to this model, there is an increased cost associated.
In addition to their $165 season subscription (taken at the time of registering)
Players will have a Term subscription cost, to cover to cost of their club coaches and extra ground hire.
Regional players will be required to pay an additional $80 each Term, this will be invoiced at the start of Term 2 and Term 3
More Information on regional teams
Our Junior Development Manager – Hugo Barber-Dale will be providing an information evening on the changes and some of the rationale behind this.
12th March 2024
7:45 pm-9:00 pm
Waiora hub – 17 Bannister Avenue Johnsonville
Rothbury Lounge
Coaches and Teams
Every player is allocated to a team, with its name and an enthusiastic parent coach. Wherever possible, we place children with their friends, because sport is most fun when we play with mates. Having friends is great, but lots of children turn up every year not knowing anyone and soon make friends, while busy playing fun games.
Getting a good coach and playing with friends are all things that make starting out in football much easier. When registering we ask players to nominate one or two other players they may know and they would like to be with. If they are unsure of who might be playing, then we will generally place them with players from their school where possible. If a player has played the previous season with us we will generally keep them with some or all of their teammates.
Code of Conduct
The North Wellington Football Club code of conduct can be found here
Getting Involved
If you would like to experience football again through your children’s eyes, then consider becoming a coach. There is support material and courses available for you. It takes far less time than you might think and the rewards of seeing the pleasure and success of your team are immense. If you are thinking about coaching, but just need to talk to someone then please contact us.
More information about making a real difference at the club through volunteering can be found here
