Fun Football (for those turning 7 or 8 this year)
|
The Fun Football programme is a natural progression from First Kicks for those turning 7 or 8 within the calendar year. New players are still welcome at any age.
The programme usually runs at Monrad Park, Highbury, each Saturday morning during terms 2 and 3. The 7th grade play at 10.30am, the 8th grade at 8.45am. Each session runs for between 60 and 90 minutes. There are occasional "away" fixtures in Feilding, Levin or at Ashhurst. |
Teams are made up of about 7 or 8 players at the start of the season. There is no grading for these age groups and if players would like to be in teams with friends please let us know and it can be arranged.
Boys and girls play separately. This is on the insistence of Central Football based on guidelines from New Zealand Football. The reasoning is that having girls in single sex teams encourages more girls to try football and leads to an increased enjoyment level for those playing. This is based on years of research and positive results in the number of girls playing due to the change. This year more than any, with the FIFA Women's World Cup having been such a big hit in New Zealand, we hope many more girls want to try football.
Pods are set up for the teams to take part in 4 fun games based on general movement, football coordination and football technique. The kids play each of the 4 games for about 8 minutes before rotating to the next game.
At the end of the games rotation the teams play 2 x 15 minute matches against teams from either their own or a different club. The matches are 5-a-side. There are no goalkeepers and limited rules (only to keep things safe).
The whole emphasis of Fun Football is to develop core physical skills and lay down the technical foundations for future football competency in a fun, motivational environment.
The programme has been devised by New Zealand Football as part of their "Whole of Football Plan"and is something Central Football encourage all clubs to follow.
Who runs the programme?
Most team coaches will arrange a suitable time and place for a team practice during the week, depending on when they and most of the team are available. These are often on Tuesdays at Monrad Park but times and venue may vary depending on the coach. If you cannot make these sessions the children will still be very welcome on a Saturday.
For the teams on a Saturday each team will require a parent/sibling/carer to volunteer to run a game pod and manage the team (substitutions rather then any tactical wizardry). In the past it has been more simple if the same parent acts as the team coach/manager but different people can run the pods each week if preferred.
Boys and girls play separately. This is on the insistence of Central Football based on guidelines from New Zealand Football. The reasoning is that having girls in single sex teams encourages more girls to try football and leads to an increased enjoyment level for those playing. This is based on years of research and positive results in the number of girls playing due to the change. This year more than any, with the FIFA Women's World Cup having been such a big hit in New Zealand, we hope many more girls want to try football.
Pods are set up for the teams to take part in 4 fun games based on general movement, football coordination and football technique. The kids play each of the 4 games for about 8 minutes before rotating to the next game.
At the end of the games rotation the teams play 2 x 15 minute matches against teams from either their own or a different club. The matches are 5-a-side. There are no goalkeepers and limited rules (only to keep things safe).
The whole emphasis of Fun Football is to develop core physical skills and lay down the technical foundations for future football competency in a fun, motivational environment.
The programme has been devised by New Zealand Football as part of their "Whole of Football Plan"and is something Central Football encourage all clubs to follow.
Who runs the programme?
Most team coaches will arrange a suitable time and place for a team practice during the week, depending on when they and most of the team are available. These are often on Tuesdays at Monrad Park but times and venue may vary depending on the coach. If you cannot make these sessions the children will still be very welcome on a Saturday.
For the teams on a Saturday each team will require a parent/sibling/carer to volunteer to run a game pod and manage the team (substitutions rather then any tactical wizardry). In the past it has been more simple if the same parent acts as the team coach/manager but different people can run the pods each week if preferred.
