Junior Football Grade Information

  • Time: Saturdays 8:30am at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: The 5th grade (girls and boys) play as a squad and are divided into sides for the activities and games on Saturday Mornings.

    Sessions are run by Junior Coaches.

    The 5th grade is mixed (boys and girls). 6th grade girls will also be part of the squad, and will be divided into separate girls-only teams or included in mixed teams, depending on their preference.

    Field Format: Follows the First Kicks guidelines. Small 3x3 playing pitches with 1.2m mini goals.

    Team structure: Play as a squad; divided into teams on the day

    Grade Coordinator: TBD

    Uniform: 5th-grade players are not required to wear the Auckland United FC kit.

    They can wear any dark coloured shorts, shirt & socks, boots and shin pads.

    Ball size: Size 3. All players should bring a ball for activities. Team ball also provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: The 5th grade is provided with game-day leaders.

    All parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: N/A

  • Time: Saturdays 9:30am at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: The focus is on having fun and participation

    2x warm up activities followed by a game. Operate to the hooter/whistle for changeover.

    There are no goalies, throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, free kicks, or kickoffs.

    If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, team leaders are encouraged to pass a ball back onto the pitch.

    Team leaders should try to ensure games are relatively evenly matched. If one team has more players than the opposition then the coaches can monitor the game and balance the teams as fairly as possible by sharing players.

    Team leaders will be on the field to encourage players and positive behaviour. All players should be encouraged to perform different skills and roles within the teamItem description.

    Field Format: Follows the First Kicks guidelines. Small 3x3 playing pitches with 1.2m mini goals.

    Teams run activities side-by-side and then divide in half to play 3x3 on half a 1/8 pitch.

    Team structure: Teams of 6-7. Divided in half to play 3x3 against opposing team.

    Grade Coordinator: TBD

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 3. All players should bring a ball for activities. Team ball also provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for game day leaders, and ideally a team manager. No separate practice session is expected. Game day leaders can rotate through parents in the team.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: N/A

  • Time: Saturday mornings 9:30am/10:30am at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: The focus is on having fun and participation

    2x warm up activities followed by a game. Operate to the hooter/whistle for changeover.

    There are no goalies, throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, free kicks, or kickoffs.

    If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, team leaders are encouraged to pass a ball back onto the pitch.

    Team leaders should try to ensure games are relatively evenly matched. If one team has more players than the opposition then the coaches can monitor the game and balance the teams as fairly as possible by sharing players.

    Team leaders will be on the field to encourage players and positive behaviour. All players should be encouraged to perform different skills and roles within the teamItem description.

    Field Format: Follows the Fun Football guidelines. Small 4x4 playing pitches with 1.2m mini goals.

    Teams run activities side-by-side and then play 5x5 on a 1/8 pitch.

    Team structure: Teams of 5-6. 2x activities and then 5x5 against opposing team.

    Grade Coordinator: Gavin Lloyd

    gavin@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 3. All players should bring a ball for activities. Team ball also provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for game day leaders, and ideally a team manager. No separate practice session is expected. Game day leaders can rotate through parents in the team.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: N/A

  • Time: Saturday mornings 9:30am/10:30am at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: The focus is on having fun and participation

    2x warm up activities followed by a game. Operate to the hooter/whistle for changeover.

    There are no goalies, throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, free kicks, or kickoffs.

    If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, team leaders are encouraged to pass a ball back onto the pitch.

    Team leaders should try to ensure games are relatively evenly matched. If one team has more players than the opposition then the coaches can monitor the game and balance the teams as fairly as possible by sharing players.

    Team leaders will be on the field to encourage players and positive behaviour. All players should be encouraged to perform different skills and roles within the teamItem description.

    Field Format: Follows the Fun Football guidelines. Small 4x4 playing pitches with 1.2m mini goals.

    Teams run activities side-by-side and then divide in half to play 4x4 on half a 1/8 pitch.

    Team structure: Teams of 8-10. Divided in half to play 4x4/5x5 against opposing team.

    Grade Coordinator: TBD

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 3. All players should bring a ball for activities. Team ball also provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for game day leaders, and ideally a team manager. No separate practice session is expected. Game day leaders can rotate through parents in the team.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: N/A

  • Time: Fridays 5:30pm at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: The focus is on having fun and participation

    2x warm up activities followed by a game. Operate to the hooter/whistle for changeover.

    There are no goalies, throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, free kicks, or kickoffs.

    If the ball goes out of play or a goal is scored, team leaders are encouraged to pass a ball back onto the pitch.

    Team leaders should try to ensure games are relatively evenly matched. If one team has more players than the opposition then the coaches can monitor the game and balance the teams as fairly as possible by sharing players.

    Team leaders will be on the field to encourage players and positive behaviour. All players should be encouraged to perform different skills and roles within the teamItem description.

    Field Format: Follows the Fun Football guidelines. Small 4x4 playing pitches with 1.2m mini goals.

    Teams run activities side-by-side and then divide in half to play 5x5 on a 1/8 pitch.

    Team structure: Teams of 10-11. Divided in half to play 5x5 against opposing team.

    Grade Coordinator: Donal O’Sullivan

    8thgrade@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 3. All players should bring a ball for activities. Team ball also provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for game day leaders, and ideally a team manager. No separate practice session is expected. Game day leaders can rotate through parents in the team.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: 8th grade development squad - train as a team, and play as part of the 9th grade competition against 9th grade teams using 9th grade pitch & rules.

  • Time: Saturday mornings 9:30am at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: 10min team warm up followed by a game of 2x 22.5min halves. Operate to the referee's whistle (each team should referee one half of the game).

    Goalkeeper is required - can either be dedicated, or rotate through the team (ie each person plays one half, 2 goalkeepers per match, and coach keeps a note of who has had a turn at goalie)

    Field Format: Follows the Mini Football guidelines.

    Retreating line for offsides and goal kick outs

    Team structure: Teams of 7-9. Play 7x7 on 1/3 pitch

    Grade Coordinator:

    Girls in-house: Gavin Lloyd

    gavin@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Girls travelling teams: Rachel Alley

    girlschair@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 4. Team ball provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for coach, manager, and needs to provide someone who can referee one half of the game. Teams are welcome to arrange a separate practice session if desired. Field allocation for practice can be requested via AUFC if required.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: 9th grade girls may choose to play either in-house within the girls teams, or in-house for a mixed team, or for a girls community/travelling team.

    10th grade girls may choose to play either in-house within the girls teams, or in-house for a mixed team, or for a girls community/travelling team.

  • Time: Fridays 5:00pm/6:00pm at Keith Hay Park Northern fields

    Playing Format: 10min team warm up followed by a game of 2x 22.5min halves. Operate to the referee's whistle (each team should referee one half of the game).

    Goalkeeper is required - can either be dedicated, or rotate through the team (ie each person plays one half, 2 goalkeepers per match, and coach keeps a note of who has had a turn at goalie)

    Field Format: Follows the Mini Football guidelines.

    Retreating line for offsides and goal kick outs

    Team structure: Teams of 7-9. Play 7x7 on 1/3 pitch.

    Grade Coordinator: Andy Chaney

    9thgrade@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 4. Team ball provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for coach, manager, and needs to provide someone who can referee one half of the game. Teams are welcome to arrange a separate practice session if desired. Field allocation for practice can be requested via AUFC if required.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: 9th grade development squad - train as a team, and play in the 9th grade community competition as part of NRF

  • Time: Saturday morning matches between 8:30-10:30am, Keith Hay Park Southern fields

    Playing Format: 10min team warm up followed by a game of 2x 25min halves. Operate to the referee's whistle (each team should referee one half of the game).

    Goalkeeper is required - can either be dedicated, or rotate through the team (ie each person plays one half, 2 goalkeepers per match, and coach keeps a note of who has had a turn at goalie)

    Field Format: Follows the Mini Football guidelines.

    Retreating line for offsides and goal kick outs

    Team structure: Teams of 8-10. Play 7x7 on Southern fields

    Grade Coordinator:

    In-house: Olivia Roxburgh

    olivia@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Community/travel teams: Vaughn Hooper

    101112grades@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Girls travelling teams: Rachel Alley

    girlschair@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 4. Team ball provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for coach, manager, and needs to provide someone who can referee one half of the game. Teams are welcome to arrange a separate practice session if desired. Field allocation for practice can be requested via AUFC if required.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: 10th grade may trial for a community/travel team, and/or for the 10th grade development squad.

    10th grade girls may choose to play either in-house within the girls teams, or in-house for a mixed team, or for a girls community/travelling team.

  • Time: Saturday morning matches between 8:30-10:30am, Keith Hay Park Southern fields

    Playing Format: 10min team warm up followed by a game of 2x 27.5min halves. Operate to the referee's whistle (each team should referee one half of the game).

    Goalkeeper is required - can either be dedicated, or rotate through the team (ie each person plays one half, 2 goalkeepers per match, and coach keeps a note of who has had a turn at goalie)

    Field Format: Follows the Mini Football guidelines.

    Halfway for offsides and retreating line for goal kick outs

    Team structure: Teams of 10-12. Play 9x9 on Southern fields

    Grade Coordinator:

    In-house: Adele Turnbull

    adele@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Community/travel teams: Vaughn Hooper

    101112grades@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Girls travelling teams: Rachel Alley

    girlschair@aucklandunitedfc.org.nz

    Uniform: Auckland United FC kit; can be purchased from the AUFC gear shop.

    Ball size: Size 4. Team ball provided for games.

    Parents & Supporters: Each team requires volunteers for coach, manager, and needs to provide someone who can referee one half of the game. Teams are welcome to arrange a separate practice session if desired. Field allocation for practice can be requested via AUFC if required.

    All other parents/spectators are expected to stay behind the pitch lines and positively encourage the players.

    Development/Community/travelling option: 11th and 12th grade may trial for a community/travel team, and/or for the grade development squad. Note community/travel/dev squad teams are age-bracketed ie 11th is separate to 12th grade.

    11th and 12th grade girls may choose to play either in-house mixed, or for a girls community/travelling team