Junior football (grades 9-12) is designed to develop our young players into the next stages of the game in a safe and enjoyable football experience. The junior grades focus on improving players technically, helping prepare players for competitive or social youth football and continue to grow a love for the beautiful game!

9th & 10th Grade

Teams play 7-a-side games (6 outfield players and one goalkeeper) on a field that is approx 1/4 of a full pitch. Games are normally held on a Saturday at 9am or 10am and are played either at home or away against other West Auckland clubs. Teams are coached by a volunteer coach and train once or twice a week depending on the availability of the coach.

11th & 12th Grade

Teams play 9-a-side games (8 outfield players and one goalkeeper) on a field that is approximately 1/2 of a full pitch. Games are normally held on a Saturday at 10am or 11am and are played either at home or away against other West Auckland clubs. Teams are coached by a volunteer coach and train once or twice a week depending on the availability of the coach.

Team Selection

We do not select 'top teams' for the junior grades, rather, we allocate three to four teams of similar mixed competence, making sure that the most experienced players remain challenged, whilst growing access for all players to gain more experience.

This approach creates both a learning culture and stability as players grow together through the age groups at Waitemata Football Club, especially important as game and squad sizes change, requiring 4 teams at 7v7 to create 2 teams when the players reach 11v11 age:

• U9-10: 7v7 (9-10 players per team)
• U11-12: 9v9 (11-12 players per team)
• U13+: 11v11 (16-18 players per team)

Therefore, our goal is to help as many young players per age group gain the skills and experience required to continue playing competitive football throughout their teenage years.

Player allocations at Waitemata FC are based on:

• Social / Friends
• Competence / Competitiveness
• Learning / Peers

We select mixed competence, within the smallest appropriate range, to provide appropriate challenge and success.

Player allocations are managed by a combination of Convenors and Coaches with support from the Director of Football. Prior knowledge of players is an important part of the process. These are subject to change, and we are happy to change allocations for appropriate reasons