First Kicks (5th and 6th Grade) and Fun Football (7th grade)

First Kicks/Fun Football is a fun, family-based introduction to football. Children are put into small teams where they spend half an hour on skills and drills games, followed by a half hour match against another Waipuna First Kicks/Fun Football team.

Your child’s grade is determined by the age they are turning in the current year. For example, turning five this year means you are 5th grade. The 5th and 6th grade children play from 8.30am- 9.30am and the 7th grade children play from 9.30am-10.30am.

The Skills & Drills session ensures that all children have contact with the ball, while teaching basic ball skills that are age-appropriate. These sessions are based on ball exercises put together by WaiBop, following the Whole of Football plan, which is being implemented throughout New Zealand. The matches consist of small teams playing each other, ensuring that children learn to pass to each other, and all get time with the ball.

Children are encouraged to wear plain black shorts and socks and each team will have a playing shirt issued by the club. Shin pads are compulsory. Children can play in football boots or sandshoes, as long as there are no metal studs. The club also provides a team bag with first aid kit and a set of balls, one for each player.

First Kicks/Fun Football does not run without the support of parents, so please indicate your interest in coaching or helping out on the committee by emailing the club when you register your child: firstkicks@waipunafc.co.nz

Fun Football (8th grade), Mini Football and Youth Football

We offer girls and boys junior football teams for grades 8-13. The player’s grade is the age they will turn in the current year. For example if a player is turning nine this year they will be 9th grade.

Teams play on a home and away basis on Saturday mornings and can travel throughout the Western Bay of Plenty. Home games are played at Waipuna Park. Teams will also have a one- hour training session during the week, with days and times to be negotiated with each coach.

Parents/whanau who are interested in coaching are invited to email the club to express their interest: coachcoordinator@waipunafc.co.nz

Men’s Social Team

The league is organised locally, playing against local teams between Te Puke, Tauranga and Katikati every second Sunday and then enjoying a few beers and some hospitality after the game, provided by the host (home) team.

The league is competitive, and probably sits at a level just below Federation 2 football, but the social aspect of the league is where most of its appeal is.

There is an age limit of 20, but there are some restrictions we must follow around numbers. If you are interested in joining us contact team manager, Crawford Simpson, phone: 021 985 243, email: crawford@simpson.net.nz or the coach, David Brown, phone: 027 687 1798, email: david@kawikadesign.com

The season runs from May to September each year and our home ground is Waipuna Park where we host our home games and hold training. Feel free to ask any questions, or simply come along to one of the local games or training sessions (6.30pm every Thursday) and check us out on Facebook.