From age 9 (Grade 9) the focus for these grades is on developing their skills as part of a team playing in a safe and friendly environment.
The Social pathway provides the opportunity for players to play at a level that suits their current ability and minimises training and playing commitment to one training per week plus a game.
(For other player pathways, please see the information on the Junior Girls Only 9-12 years page)
Our 9th - 12th grade social female players can choose to play in a Mixed team or an all girls team (numbers permitting) and play against both mixed and girls teams in our 'In-house League' on Sundays at Seddon Fields, or play on Saturdays at clubs across Auckland in the Northern Region Football League (NRF) against all girls social teams from other clubs.
Registrations and Teams
Registrations typically open early February through to April. At the close of registrations, the grade coordinator will put the teams together based on requests as indicated on the registration form (they do their best, nothing is guaranteed). If you have a few friends wanting to play together, they will all have to indicate this on their registration.
On the registration form you will be asked to select the League you would like to play in, and if you would like to play in a girls only or mixed team.
Once all registrations are sorted into teams, the coordinator will email out team details (typically mid April). Each team will require a volunteer coach, assistant coach, and manager. All teams are provided with a kit bag at the start of the season which contains size 4 balls, cones, and bibs.
It is at the team's discretion if they want to practice during the week or not. Teams will be given the option to secure turf space for training if they require it.
_____________________________________________________________________
In-House Girls Hub
In 2024 we are offering opportunities for all girls in 8th (2016 born) and 9th grade (2015 born) to play in-house games against other all girls teams on Fridays. This new 'Girls Hub' aims to bring together girls of a similar age so they can grow their personality, friendships and skills alongside other girls with different activities and small sided games up to 5v5. Games will be at the same time as 8th grade mixed teams but in the 'Girls Hub' area on the turf - on Fridays from 5:30-6:30pm. Depending upon the number of girls teams, there may be some games against mixed teams. To register to play in a team in the 'Girls Hub', register in the usual way and state preferences including answering the specific question about playing in a mixed team or in the 'Girl's Hub'.
Friday Evenings 5:30-6:30, Seddon Fields
First Game: 3 May 2024
Final Game: 20 September 2024
No games: 2 June, 14 July, 21 July
Play with and against girls teams in our 'In-house Girls Hub' on Fridays at Seddon Fields.
The weekly allocation of pitches and rotation activities will be made available on our website and App usually at least two days in advance. Two teams will be allocated to each pitch.
Each team will need two ‘coaches’ on the pitch with their team – one to run the activity card and one to take their team to the other activity (with the other coach). The hooter is sounded to signal the start/end of each activity/game.
Activity cards should be collected from our Whole of Football Coordinator in the clubrooms, at least 15 minutes prior to the session, and returned to the Whole of Football Coordinator at the end of the session.
TEAMS
Maximum of 10 players per team
PITCH
30m x 24m (1/8th of a pitch) with 2m x 1m goals
5:30 Fit4Football Warm-up or General Movement activity with own coach
5:39 Activity 1 with own coach
5:48 Activity 2 swap with other team coach
5:57 Return to your original station for a drink – 3 minutes
Coaches ensure half the team has bibs on and organise with opponents so bibs v non-bibs on each field. After game 1, one team swaps the bibbed players over and then each team plays against the other half of the opposition team.
6:00 Game 1 kick-off
6:14 Bibbed players swap
6:16 Game 2 kick-off
6:30 Clear field (remove goals) return all cards to clubrooms
RULES
- Players are encouraged to enjoy being in possession of the ball; the focus is on having fun and participation
- Goal kicks and corners can be introduced. For goal kicks, encourage opposition players to retreat back into their own half to allow the team in possession to pass the ball out to begin their attack.
- When a goal is scored, encourage the scoring team to retreat to their own half and allow the conceding team to restart from their goal - again passing the ball out
- Allow kick-ins rather than throw-ins when the ball goes out at the side of the pitch
- Coaches 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 coaches will be on the field to encourage players and their positive behaviours. Coaches should encourage all players to perform different skills and roles within the team
PARENTS/SUPPORTERS
All supporters should watch games from behind the fence or on the balcony and provide encouragement to all players.
_____________________________________________________________________
In-House Games
Sunday mornings, Seddon Fields
Training - 1 session per week
First Game: 5 May 2024
Final Game: 22 September 2024
No games: 2 June, 14 July, 21 July
Play against both mixed and girls teams in our 'In-house League' on Sundays at Seddon Fields.
Please click here for details on playing in the '7 v 7 In-house League' at Seddon Fields.
_____________________________________________________________________
Northern Region Football Girls League (NRF)
Saturday mornings, Seddon Fields AND other club locations throughout Auckland
Training - 1 session per week
First Game: 27 April 2024
Final Game: 21 September 2024
No games: 1 June, 13th July
9th Grade Coordinator – Brad Alcorn coordinator2015@wsafc.org.nz
10th Grade Coordinator – Claire Turner coordinator2014@wsafc.org.nz
11th Grade Coordinator – Polly Taylor coordinator2013@wsafc.org.nz
12th Grade Coordinator – Nicole Roe coordinator2012@wsafc.org.nz
Grading is strictly based on the year of birth: (2024 Season) 2015 – 9th Grade | 2014 – 10th Grade | 2013 - 11th Grade | 2012 - 12th Grade
___________________________________________________________________
COACHES & MANAGERS
Each team will need a manager and two ‘coaches’ one to help the kids on the pitch and one to referee half of the game. The coach may also require help from the manager or another volunteer to help with the substitutions.
Every team will be provided with a kit bag at the start of the season which contains balls, cones and bibs. It is up to the team if they have training or not (1 training session per week is recommended) and there will be the opportunity to request turf space at Seddon Fields for practices. The club also has bookings that allows any team to use the football fields at Walker Park and Cox Bay for training during the week.
Coaches are encouraged to complete a Junior Coaching Course which will be held in the Western Springs Clubrooms and at no expense to the coach. These usually require you to attend just one session and will help you with ideas on how to help the kids develop. Team Coaches should encourage positive behaviours, and all players to perform different skills and roles within the team.
If you require assistance to find a coach please contact our Head of Junior and Youth Football.
ORGANISATION
The weekly allocation of fixtures and field locations will be published on the Northern Region Football (NRF) website .The draw will be made available on the Northern Regional Football website a week in advance but is not confirmed until 4pm the Friday prior to game day.
If your team needs to default the game for any reason, please contact your Grade Coordinator as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made for the opposing team.
The coach or manager will be provided with a login for Comet (used by NZF/NRF to register scores) and should enter the score by 4:00pm on Saturday.
Scores are recorded, to help with providing an appropriate challenge for each team, but not published.
9th and 10th Grade Girls
TEAMS
Squads of 10 players
PITCH (Optimal)
Training Pitch or 1/4 of a full pitch with 4m x 2m goals
FORMAT
- 7v7 games including Goalkeepers
- 2x 25 minute halfs
- Squads of 10, up to 3 rolling substitutes
- The ‘retreating line’ rules are in use. Learn more about the 'retreating line' watch the video or download the booklet
11th and 12th Grade Girls
TEAMS
Squads of 12 players
PITCH (Optimal)
Training Pitch or 1/2 of a full pitch with 4m x 2m goals
FORMAT
- 9v9 games including Goalkeepers
- 2x 25 minute halfs
- Squads of 12, up to 3 rolling substitutes
- The ‘retreating line’ rules are in use. Learn more about the 'retreating line' watch the video or download the booklet
RULES
Start and Restart of Play: A game is started with a kick to a teammate from the middle of the halfway line. When a goal is scored, play is restarted at the halfway line with the side conceding the goal taking the kick-off as per the start of play.
Scoring Goals: A goal is scored when the whole ball crosses the whole of the line.
Ball Crossing the Touch Line: Throw in. The ball should be thrown in to play from behind the touchline. The player should face the field of play with both feet either behind or on the touchline. Players must use both hands to deliver the ball from behind and over their head.
Ball Crossing the Goal Line: Last touched by defending team – A corner kick is awarded.
Last touched by attacking team – Goal kick from anywhere within the penalty area. Opponents retreat to the Retreating Line.
Goalkeepers: The Goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball anywhere in the penalty area. To restart play after a save or gathering the ball with their hands, the ball must be thrown from the hands or played from the ground with their feet. The Goalkeeper is not allowed to kick or drop-kick the ball directly from their hands.
NOTE - 8 of the 10 fields don’t have penalty areas marked out so please be supportive of goalkeepers when they use their hands. If you think they are too far out when using them then let them know in a supportive manner for next time.
Fouls and Misconduct: There are only indirect free kicks for fouls e.g. when a player: trips/kicks/pushes an opponent; holds/pulls an opponent; handles the ball deliberately; plays in a dangerous manner.
A deliberate handball or serious misconduct in the penalty area may lead to the awarding of a penalty kick 7 metres from the goal line.
Offside: The ‘retreating line’ rules are in use to introduce the concept of the ‘offside rule’. Learn more about the 'retreating line' watch the video or download the booklet. Only blatant offsides for ‘seagulling’ are awarded.
PARENTS/SUPPORTERS
Should watch games from behind the fence or on the balcony. Provide encouragement to all players but leave specific football comments to the coach.
Those interested in playing an active role supporting the players could:
- Manage a team working with the coach
- Coach a team for one training and one game per week
- Enrol on a Community Referee (CR) course so they can referee games.
- Run the line as an Assistant Referee.
