JUNIORS - TURNING 8-13 YEARS OLD IN 2026
Junior football is dedicated to the next level of the footballing pathway.
Research has identified that the golden age of learning and development is between the ages of 8 and 13 years. So with that in mind, we concentrate on providing a Junior Framework that is a consistent and coordinated approach to the development of junior players. Its main aim is to provide all junior players with Football experiences that increase passion for the game. Through the Junior Framework, players will experience age-appropriate games and coaching. The focus is on fun.
For further questions about Turning 8-13 Junior Football, send us an email at info@teawamutuafc.co.nz
Registration and Season
Registrations are open until:
Any registrations after this date will be considered if spaces are still available in that relevant grade.
The 2026 season will begin on 2 May. Fixtures will be available once teams have been registered with the league and fixtures are released from WaiBOP.
Teams
The club does its best to try to keep teams together as players age, but it must be noted that:
- Football is played in the year of Birth and not the school year. Players are expected to play in their correct age band as best they can, noting that once in junior football, playing in the correct age band is a requirement.
- Team allocations will be confirmed by club team allocators (who are volunteers), who do their best to accommodate, but this is not guaranteed.
- Players who attend our Te Awamutu Academy and are 10th, 11th or 12th grade will be asked if they would like to have their own seperate teams so can train and play together.
- As players age, others join, and some stop playing, and teams get larger (i.e., 5 a side, 7 a side, 9 a side and 11 a side), teams will be required to change.
Playing Boots/Shoes and Shinpads
To participate in the season, all players must play in moulded boots and use Shinpads.
Playing Format
Teams will train once a week, usually between Monday and Thursday. Training factors will depend on the coach and pitch availability. Players may be required to travel to other clubs in the region, but the vast majority of games are played in Ngaruawahia, Raglan, Hamilton, Matamata, and surrounding areas. Games are on Saturday mornings and tend to be played starting somewhere between 8.30am and 12.00pm.
Games are played on Saturday mornings in this age range
The following grades for boys and girls are selected by the year they are born, which is denoted in (brackets).
Boys and Girls (Note: Girls are placed in a dual age band)
- U9 Girls Only (born 2017/2018) 5 V 5 Larger field, no offsides, larger goals, and a Goalkeeper included in the age group with WOF 2.0
- U11 Girls only (born 2015/2016) - 7 V 7
- U13 Girls Only (born 2013/2014) 9 V 9
- 8th grade (born 2018) 5 V 5 Larger field, no offsides, larger goals and a Goalkeeper included in age group with WOF 2.0
- 9th grade (born 2017) - NOW 5 V 5 (New adjusted format with WOF 2.0)
- 10th grade (born 2016) - 7 V 7
- 11th grade (born 2015) - NOW 7 V 7 (New adjusted format with WOF 2.0)
- 12th grade (born 2014) - 9 V 9
- 13th grade (born2013) - NOW 9 V 9 (New adjusted format with WOF 2.0)
2026 PLAYER REGISTRATION FORM
To register as a player for the 2026 season, complete the form below.
The process is much simpler this year; there’s no need to remember or recover any previous login details. Just click on the Player Registration tab and complete the form with your child’s information.
We’re currently waiting for WaiBOP to release the official grades for selection. In the meantime, we’ll confirm your child’s grade using the grade you select on the form and their date of birth.
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