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. They play 7v7 following either our Social or Academy pathway, with the option to change pathways each season.

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 1 training per week plus a game. 

(For other player pathways, please see the information on the Junior Mixed 5-12 years page)

Note: On registration, female players may choose to play in one of our mixed (generally 70% boys) teams or have the option of playing in a girls only team (numbers permitting). Depending on ability, our female players may also request (via the appropriate Grade Coordinator) to play in the mixed grade below their age.     

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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.

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.   

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In-house Mixed Teams (Social)

Sundays  – 8am, 9am or 10am

Play at Seddon Fields, Meola Road

Training - 1 session per week

First session: 5 May 2024
Final session:  22 September 2024

No games on the following holiday 2024 dates:  2 June, 14 July, 21 July

9th Grade Coordinator – Brad Alcorn coordinator2015@wsafc.org.nz
10th Grade Coordinator – Claire Turner coordinator2014@wsafc.org.nz

Grading is strictly based on the year of birth: (2024 Season)   2015 – 9th Grade  |  2014 – 10th Grade  

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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 & Youth Football.

ORGANISATION

The weekly draw will be made available on our website and App usually at least 3-4 days in advance.

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.

TEAMS
Maximum of 10 players per team

PITCH
Training Pitch or 1/4 of a full pitch with 4m x 2m goals

FORMAT
The focus is on educating the players and helping them to learn the simple rules whilst enjoying their football e.g. it's fine to let a goalkeeper restart play again if they kicked the ball out of their hands.

• 7v7 games including goalkeepers (3 rolling subs)
• 2 x 25-minute halves with 5 minute half time

Teams will play games in 3 batches: Rounds 1 - 4, and 5 - 9 we will aim to group teams with others of similar ability, and then for rounds 10-14 we will place teams in 7 groups of 6 teams to finish the season with 7 group winners!

The coach or manager will receive an email on game day and should use this to confirm the score by 4:00pm on Sunday. Scores are recorded to help with providing an appropriate challenge for each team, but not published.

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.