Mini Football
9-12th grades
Mini 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) encompassig the entire junior and senior spectrum of football in New Zealand.
How does it work?
Mini Football is much the same as Fun Football run in previous years, except that formalised training will be run on a Saturday prior to the inter-club game led only by their team coach. Additional practices may also be run subject to arrangements within the individual team and coach availability.
Teams are selected after the Club’s grading days. Your son or daughter will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Mini Football Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach and manager will volunteer/be assigned. They coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.
During the season teams will meet at the location they are scheduled to play that day. The morning starts with approximately 2 skills training exercises (set by NZ Football, these will be supplied to coaches). The players rotate through the exercises, while the coach stays where they are (i.e. the Ruahine coach will run their exercise with their Ruahine team, then the team’s rotate and the Ruahine coach runs the exercise for the other team, while the Ruahine team do another exercise with the other team’s coach). After the 2 skills training exercises teams then play their interclub game.
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 at the location scheduled as in previous years. These games will be loaded on TeamStuff and may vary in location and occasionally in time.
9th Grade typically plays at 8:45am
10th Grade typically plays at 10:30am
11th Grade typically plays at8:45am
12th Grade typically plays at10:30am
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?
Mini Football is much the same as Fun Football run in previous years, except that formalised training will be run on a Saturday prior to the inter-club game led only by their team coach. Additional practices may also be run subject to arrangements within the individual team and coach availability.
Teams are selected after the Club’s grading days. Your son or daughter will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Mini Football Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach and manager will volunteer/be assigned. They coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.
During the season teams will meet at the location they are scheduled to play that day. The morning starts with approximately 2 skills training exercises (set by NZ Football, these will be supplied to coaches). The players rotate through the exercises, while the coach stays where they are (i.e. the Ruahine coach will run their exercise with their Ruahine team, then the team’s rotate and the Ruahine coach runs the exercise for the other team, while the Ruahine team do another exercise with the other team’s coach). After the 2 skills training exercises teams then play their interclub game.
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 at the location scheduled as in previous years. These games will be loaded on TeamStuff and may vary in location and occasionally in time.
9th Grade typically plays at 8:45am
10th Grade typically plays at 10:30am
11th Grade typically plays at8:45am
12th Grade typically plays at10:30am
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
