From age 9 (Grade 9) the focus for these players is on developing their skills as part of a team playing in a safe and friendly environment. They play 7v7 following either our Social or Pre-Academy pathway, with the option to change pathways each season.

The Pre-Academy pathway provides opportunities for players (9th Grade and above) who are highly motivated and committed to training twice per week with teams formed based on abilities, commitment and motivation. Players following this pathway must be able to commit to two training sessions a week plus a game (played across Auckland)

(For other player pathways, please see the information on the Junior Mixed 9-10 Social  or Junior Mixed 11-12 Social page)

Note: Our most talented female players also have the option to play in our Mixed Pre-Academy teams either within their age group or a year below. Please contact our Head of Junior & Youth Football for more information.  Female players also have the option of playing in Girls Only teams.

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Registrations and Teams

Pre-Academy players are identified during term 4 from players attending the Term 4 Pre-Academy identification sessions and those attending the Term 4 Skill Centre sessions. The group of Pre-Academy players is then finalised at the end of term 4.  Any players who are not in the Pre-Academy teams but would like to follow the pathway should attend the Player ID sessions (for mixed and girls teams) during February to be considered for a Pre-Development Team.  Players following the Social and Pre-Academy (includes Pre-Development) pathways must also be registered with the club for the season. 

The Head of Men's Football, Women's Football and Junior and Youth Football will manage selection of players to play in Pre-Academy teams. Pre-Academy teams are announced at the end of term 4 while Pre-Development teams are announced during term 1 (mid March).

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Mixed Pre-Academy & Pre-Development Teams

Saturdays kick off between 9am and 12pm, at clubs across Auckland

Training - 2 sessions per week

First session:  5 April 2025       

Final session:  6 September 2025

No Whole of Football on the following holiday 2025 dates: 19 April, 26 April, 31 May, 21 June, 5 July

9th Grade Coordinator – Henry Willis coordinator2016@wsafc.org.nz
10th Grade Coordinator – Brad Alcorn coordinator2015@wsafc.org.nz
11th Grade Coordinator – Claire Turner coordinator2014@wsafc.org.nz
12th Grade Coordinator – Polly Taylor coordinator2013@wsafc.org.nz

Grading is strictly based on the year of birth: (2025 Season) 2016 – 9th Grade  |   2015 – 10th Grade  |  2014 - 11th Grade  |  2013 - 12th Grade

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COACHING
Western Springs AFC is committed to continuing to improve the level of coaching at the Club. The Club will endeavour to provide a suitably qualified non-parent club supported coach for each Pre-Academy Team. Please note this will incur an additional fee which is required to cover the expenses of this coach.

ORGANISATION OF GAMES
NRF Junior Pre-Academy Teams play in competitions run by Northern Region Football (NRF). The weekly allocation of fixtures and field locations will be published on the NRF website .

Home games are usually played at Seddon Fields, Meola Road. Away games are played at clubs throughout Auckland. The 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.  There are no league tables in junior football.

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)
• Enrol in a Community Referee (CR) course so they can referee games
• Run the line as an Assistant Referee

9th and 10th Grade  

TEAMS
Squads of 10 players will be selected

     
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
● Retreating line in play

11th and 12th Grade 

TEAMS
Squads of 12 players will be selected

     
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
● Retreating line in play

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.