Winter League

First Kicks, Junior, Youth and Senior Football Teams

Waipuna Football Club offers football programs for boys and girls from ages 4 through to Senior.  Players are grouped according to the age they will turn during the current calendar year, for example, a child turning nine this year will play in 9th grade.

Hover over the Winter League tab and click on the relevant age group you would like to find out more information on.

All First Kicks players games are held at home.  All 8th grade and up teams compete in home and away matches on Saturday mornings, travelling across the Western Bay of Plenty, with all home games held at Waipuna Park.  Each team also has a weekly training session of at least one hour, with days and times arranged directly with the coach.

Parents or whanau interested in coaching or assisting with teams are encouraged to contact the club via email (admin@waipunafc.co.nz) to express their interest.

Registration and Season Details

Registrations for the winter season open from early February to the end of March each year.  The juniors 2026 season runs from 2 May to 29 August, First Kicks start a week later but end on the same day.

Game times and venues are available on the WaiBOP website or app under the “Draws” section.  Please note that WaiBOP may update schedules after the initial draw is released, so check back every Friday afternoon or evening for any changes affecting the upcoming weekend’s games.

Cancellations:

  • For home games, any cancellations will be posted on the Waipuna’s Facebook page on Saturday mornings.

  • For away games, please check the WaiBOP website under Competitions → Cancellations.

Parental / Whanau Support

Waipuna Football Club proudly keeps its fees among the lowest in the Bay of Plenty so every child has the chance to play. We can only do this with the support of our amazing parents, whānau, and community.

Our teams rely entirely on volunteers — parents, caregivers, and older siblings — to coach, manage, referee, and support teams each week. Without this support, teams simply cannot train or take the field.

You don’t need prior experience — just a willingness to help. Whether you can coach, manage, referee, or lend a hand at events, every contribution makes a real difference and directly helps keep fees affordable for all families.

Get involved: Indicate your interest when registering your child, or email us at juniors@waipunafc.co.nz.  Together, we can keep kids playing, smiling, and loving football.

Playing Gear Requirements

All players must wear moulded football boots (or sneakers for First Kicks participants), steel studs are not permitted.

Players will wear Waipuna playing shirts with black shorts and long black socks.  Shin guards are compulsory.

New Playing Shirt for 2026!

We are excited to announce that every registered player will receive a brand new Waipuna playing shirt for the 2026 season.

As part of a small club rebrand – and thanks to our new major sponsor – we are able to provide these shirts before the season kicks off.  If your child already has a black Waipuna shirt or recently purchased one, don’t worry – those will make great training shirts.

⚽ Get ready for an amazing season!  Click here to register 🖤