The Girls Academy pathway provides opportunities for players (13th Grade and above) who are highly motivated and committed to training 2-3 times per week with teams formed based on abilities, commitment and motivation. Players following this pathway must be able to commit to 2-3 training sessions a week (depending on team) plus a game (played across Auckland).  The Academy Team plays in the NRFL Lotto Youth League for their age.

Players who are not in the Academy team but also highly committed and motivated to develop may play in a Development team (play in an NRF Youth Leagues).  To be selected for a Development team, players should attend the Girls Player ID sessions - held in February.

For female players following the Academy pathway once they are too old for U16 grade, it is anticipated that they would move into the Premier Women’s or Development squads.  

(For other player pathways, please see the information on the Youth Girls Only 13-19 Years page)

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Registrations and Teams

Academy players are identified during term 4 from players attending the Term 4 Academy identification sessions and those attending the Term 4 Championship/Conference player sessions.  The Head of Men's Football, Women's Football and Junior and Youth Football will manage selection of players to play in Academy teams. Academy teams are announced at the end of term 4

Players who are not in the Academy team but also highly committed and motivated to develop may play in a Development teams (play in an NRF Youth Leagues).  To be selected for a Development team, players should attend the Girls Player ID sessions.  The Development teams are announced during term 1 (mid March).

All players must be registered with the club for the season. 

Note: Our most talented female players also have the option to play in our Mixed Academy Teams either within their age group or a year below. Please contact our Head of Junior and Youth Football if you would like to explore this option further .

Youth Girls Academy 13 - 16 Years

Selected Girls aged 13 - 16 Years

Saturday - kick-off between 10:00am and 1:00pm at clubs across the Northern region

Training – 3 sessions per week for 14th & 16th NRFL Academy Teams, 2 sessions per week for 13th NRF Premiership Team.

Start U13/15/17 : 5 April 2025
Finish U13/15/17 : 6 September 2025

Start U14/16 NRFL : 22 March 2025
Finish U14/16 NRFL : 20 September 2025

No games: TBC once fixtures are published

13th Grade Coordinator –Tanya Reynolds – coordinator2011@wsafc.org.nz
14th Grade Coordinator – Claire Turner – coordinator2010@wsafc.org.nz
15th Grade Coordinator – Tony Townley – coordinator2009@wsafc.org.nz
16th - 19th Grade Coordinator – Josh Hosking – youthcoordinator@wsafc.org.nz

Grading is strictly based on the year of birth:
2012 - 13th Grade  |  2011 – 14th Grade | 2010 – 15th Grade  |  2009 – 16th Grade  |  2008 – 17th Grade  |  2007 – 18th Grade  |  2006 – 19th Grade

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COACHES
Western Springs AFC is committed to continuing to improve the level of coaching at the Club. All NRFL Youth & NRF Premiership teams are required to have a coach qualified to a minimum of NZF/OFC C Licence (or equivalent).  Where the club provides a suitably qualified coach, there will be an additional fee required to cover the expenses of this coach throughout the season.

PITCH (Optimal)
U13 - 65m x 45m
U14 - 82m x 50m
U16 - 100m x 60m

LENGTH OF GAME
U13 – 2 x 30 mins
U14 – 2 x 40 mins
U16 – 2 x 45 mins

FORMAT

• 11v11 games including Goalkeepers (9v9 for U13)
• Up to 7 rolling substitutes (up to 4 for U13)
• As per FIFA rules

ORGANISATION OF GAMES
The weekly allocation of fixtures and field locations will be published on the Northern Region Football (NRF) website.

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 played at clubs throughout Auckland and up north as far as Northland and south to Drury.

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.