The 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.
For male players following the Academy pathway once they are too old for U17 grade, it is anticipated that they would move into either the Premier Men or U23 squads.
(For other player pathways, please see the information on the Youth Mixed 13 - 19 Years page)
Note: For our female players, mixed teams are generally 90% boys. 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 & Youth Football for more information. Female players also have the option of playing in Girls Only teams.
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Sunday - Kick-off between 10:00am and 3:00pm at clubs across the Northern region
Training - 3 sessions per week for Academy team (NRFL Youth team) and 2 sessions per week for Development teams (NRF Championship/Conference)
NRF 13 Premiership Start: 23 March 2025
NRF 13 Premiership Finish: 21 September 2025
NRFL Youth 14/15/17 Start: 23 March 2025
NRFL Youth 14/15/17 Finish: 21 September 2025
NRF 13/14/15/17 Championship/Conference Start: 6 April 2025
NRF 13/14/15/17 Championship/Conference Finish: 7 September 2025
No games: TBC once fixtures are published for specific competitions
13th Grade Coordinator – Nicole Roe coordinator2012@wsafc.org.nz
14th Grade Coordinator – Polly Taylor coordinator2011@wsafc.org.nz
15th Grade Coordinator – Claire Turner – coordinator2010@wsafc.org.nz
16th - 19th Grade Coordinator – Josh Hosking – youthcoordinator@wsafc.org.nz
Grading is strictly based on the year of birth: (2025 Season)
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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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 one of the Development teams (play in the NRF Championship or NRF Conference Youth Leagues. To be selected for a Development team, players should attend the Mixed Player ID sessions. The Development teams are announced during term 1 (mid March).
Note: For our female players, mixed teams are generally 90% boys. 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 for more information .
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COACHES
Western Springs AFC is committed to continuing to improve the level of coaching at the Club. All NRFL Youth teams are required to have a coach qualified to a minimum of NZF/OFC C Licence (or equivalent). Where the club provides a coach, there will be an additional fee required to cover the expenses of this coach throughout the season.
PITCH (Optimal and where available)
U13 & U14 - 82m x 50m
U15 - 90m x 55m
U17 - 100m x 60m
LENGTH OF GAME
U13 – 2 x 30 mins
U14 – 2 x 35 mins
U15 – 2 x 40 mins
U17 – 2 x 45 mins
FORMAT
- 11v11 games including Goalkeepers
- Up to 7 rolling substitutes
- 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. Away games for Championship/Conferecne teams are played at clubs throughout Auckland and up north as far as Northland and south to Drury. For NRFL Youth teams this may include away game in Tauranga, Hamilton and Cambridge.
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.
