The focus for these grades is on developing their skills as part of a team playing in a safe and friendly environment that provides appropriate levels of competition to aid player development. They play 11v11 against other clubs throughout Auckland in an Auckland Football Federation (AFF) league, and for Metro and Conference teams against clubs from Northern Football Federation (NFF) also.
KEY DATES
METRO & CONFERENCE – play on Sundays:
DIVISION 1 AND LOWER – play on Saturdays:
13th Grade Coordinator – Jane Welsh – janemareewelsh@gmail.com
14th Grade Coordinator – Claire-Louise Wilson – wsafc2005grade@gmail.com
15th Grade Coordinator – Joe Cavanagh – cavanagh0@gmail.com
16th Grade Coordinator – Rachel Thomas – wsafc16th@gmail.com
17th-20th Grade Coordinator – Catriona Stewart – catrionastew@gmail.com
WHO
Boys and Girls born from 2000 to 2006
WHAT
All players can choose to either:
Teams playing in Metro and Conference divisions play in a combined AFF (Auckland Football Federation) / NFF (Northern Football Federation) league
All other teams play in Auckland Football Federation leagues (AFF)
WHERE
Home games are usually played at:
Away games are usually played at other club locations throughout Auckland (e.g. usually as far as Drury to the south and Bucklands Beach to the east, with some games ‘over the bridge’ for the Metro and Conference teams).
WHEN
Metro & Conference:
Games are played on Sunday with kick off usually between 10am & 3pm.
Training x 2 weekly.
Division 1 and lower
Games are played on Saturday with kick off between 10am & 2pm
Training x 1-2 weekly (at the discretion of the coach)
TEAMS
Squads usually consist of 16 players per team
KIT
All players should wear Springs shirt, shorts and socks. These can be purchased from Lotto.
Metro players will be provided with a numbered shirt but will need their own shorts and socks.
They should also wear turf boots and shin pads.
LENGTH OF GAMES
Metro & Conference:
Division 1 and lower:
ORGANISATION OF TEAMS
The YFM and FDM will select Development Teams, and take into consideration performances both during trials and during term 4 and 1 High Performance Programmes (HPP). Development Teams are usually announced during late February / early March and will be sent out by the FDM. All other teams will be announced by the Grade Coordinator during early / mid March.
COACHES/MANAGERS
Each team requires volunteer coaches and a manager, and is provided with a kit bag at the start of the season which contains size 5 (size 4 for 13th grade) balls, cones and bibs.
All coaches and managers should wear turf boots on the turf. Coaches should be willing to complete a Youth Coaching Course which will be held at Springs 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 behaviour at all times.
METRO & CONFERENCE COACHES
Western Springs AFC is committed to continuing to improve the level of coaching at the Club. Where the Club is able to provide a suitably qualified non-parent coach for any Metro or Conference team, there will be an additional fee required to cover the expenses of this coach throughout the season.
ORGANISATION
The weekly allocation of fixtures and field locations will be published on the Auckland Football Federation (AFF) website.
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: