Fun Football
7-8th grades
Fun Football is a New Zealand Football mandated programme that is part of the evolution of football in New Zealand. It is part of the ‘Whole of Football Plan’ (WOFP) encompassing the entire junior and senior spectrum of football in New Zealand.
How does it work?
Your son or daughter are placed into teams following the registration period and will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Fun Football Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach and manager will volunteer/be assigned to each team, and they will coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.
During the season a typical Saturday morning commences with Fit4Football activities led by the team coach to practice good warm-up techniques and improve motor control and stability, before the players then rotate through grids and complete a series of skills training sessions, finishing thereafter with one or two small inter-club games.
Training exercises are assigned during the week prior to the game day, and groups of players rotate through these grids as led by other team coaches also. Each coach is tasked to lead a single activity with each of the rotating teams as their own team rotates through each of the stations as parents/caregivers and supporters look on (and assist as required).
After the skills training exercises have been completed teams then play one or two inter-club games.
What about mid-week practices?
This is optional as training is conducted every Saturday morning. Some teams choose to have additional practice mid-week subject to the availability of coaches. Ruahine AFC utilises the TeamStuff application (Smartphones are not necessarily required) to allow coaches/managers to organise practices on a safe and informative digital platform, with which parents and caregivers receive notifications and reminders and can indicate attendance prior.
When do we train/play?
On a Saturday morning for 1½ hours at Monrad Park, corner of Highbury and Ronberg Streets. There will likely be ‘away’ games several times throughout the season (e.g. Feilding, Ashhurst).
7th Graders play 10:30am-12pm
8th Graders play 8:45am-10:15am
The second and last weekend of school holidays typically don't have game days, but we'll keep you informed through TeamStuff.
Who trains the kids?
Coaches and Managers are volunteers from the parent body who will be overseen by a coordinator from Ruahine AFC. Expert coaching from Central Football will also assist during the season. A coaching evening will be held to up-skill prospective coaches.
How do I access TeamStuff?
An invitation to join your team will be emailed to you at around the time your team is established prior to the season commencing. All game notifications will be loaded onto the Teamstuff platform throughout the season, giving you the information you need at your fingertips and ensuring club communications are consistent and well organised across the club. More than one parent is able to access their children's schedule via TeamStuff allowing either parent to verify attendance of games and receive club or team communications..
Where can I learn more?
Ruahine AFC website - Junior Framework
NZF website – www.nzfootball.co.nz
How does it work?
Your son or daughter are placed into teams following the registration period and will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Fun Football Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach and manager will volunteer/be assigned to each team, and they will coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.
During the season a typical Saturday morning commences with Fit4Football activities led by the team coach to practice good warm-up techniques and improve motor control and stability, before the players then rotate through grids and complete a series of skills training sessions, finishing thereafter with one or two small inter-club games.
Training exercises are assigned during the week prior to the game day, and groups of players rotate through these grids as led by other team coaches also. Each coach is tasked to lead a single activity with each of the rotating teams as their own team rotates through each of the stations as parents/caregivers and supporters look on (and assist as required).
After the skills training exercises have been completed teams then play one or two inter-club games.
What about mid-week practices?
This is optional as training is conducted every Saturday morning. Some teams choose to have additional practice mid-week subject to the availability of coaches. Ruahine AFC utilises the TeamStuff application (Smartphones are not necessarily required) to allow coaches/managers to organise practices on a safe and informative digital platform, with which parents and caregivers receive notifications and reminders and can indicate attendance prior.
When do we train/play?
On a Saturday morning for 1½ hours at Monrad Park, corner of Highbury and Ronberg Streets. There will likely be ‘away’ games several times throughout the season (e.g. Feilding, Ashhurst).
7th Graders play 10:30am-12pm
8th Graders play 8:45am-10:15am
The second and last weekend of school holidays typically don't have game days, but we'll keep you informed through TeamStuff.
Who trains the kids?
Coaches and Managers are volunteers from the parent body who will be overseen by a coordinator from Ruahine AFC. Expert coaching from Central Football will also assist during the season. A coaching evening will be held to up-skill prospective coaches.
How do I access TeamStuff?
An invitation to join your team will be emailed to you at around the time your team is established prior to the season commencing. All game notifications will be loaded onto the Teamstuff platform throughout the season, giving you the information you need at your fingertips and ensuring club communications are consistent and well organised across the club. More than one parent is able to access their children's schedule via TeamStuff allowing either parent to verify attendance of games and receive club or team communications..
Where can I learn more?
Ruahine AFC website - Junior Framework
NZF website – www.nzfootball.co.nz
