Players – Youth

Youth(born in 2000-2006)

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Menu: | Youth 13-19th Grade

13th to 19th GRADE Born 2000 to 2006

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: 

  • 13th Grade – Grading competition begins on Saturday 16th March and includes 5 games played over 6 dates (16th Mar, 17th Mar, 23rd Mar, 24th Mar, 30th Mar, 31st Mar).  The outcome of these games will determine what competition the 2 x 13th grade teams play in during 2019.
  • 17th Grade –  A grading competition will be used to start the season (7th April) and be used to determine the Metro, Conference, Conference 2 (and as needed Conference 3).  Further information will be shared when available closer to the season.  
  • 1st game – Sunday 7th April
  • No games – 21st April & 14th July
  • Provisional final game – 18th August

DIVISION 1 AND LOWER – play on Saturdays:

  • 1st game – Saturday 13th April
  • No games – 20th April & 13th July
  • Provisional final game – 17th August

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:

  • Trial for their grade’s development teams which are selected by the Youth Football Manager (YFM) and Football Development Manager (FDM).
  • Play for a team selected by their Grade Coordinator and FDM.

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:

  • Seddon Fields, Meola Road
  • Cox’s Bay Reserve, West End Road
  • Walker Park, Walker Road
  • Eastdale Reserve, corner of Rosebank Road and Eastdale Reserve

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:

  • 13th – 2 x 35 mins
  • 14th – 2 x 35 mins
  • 15th – 2 x 40 mins
  • 16th – 2 x 45 mins
  • 17th – 2 x 45 mins

Division 1 and lower:

  • 13th Mixed – 2 x 35 mins
  • 14th – 2 x 35 mins
  • 15th – 2 x 40 mins
  • 16th – 2 x 40 mins
  • 17th – 2 x 45 mins
  • 19th – 2 x 45 mins

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:

  • Manage a team – working with the coach
  • Coach a team for 1-2 training and 1 game per week
  • Enrol in a Club Based Referee (CBR) course so they can referee games.
  • Run the line as an Assistant Referee.