The winter football season is a Saturday morning competition designed to be fun for players at all levels from age 4 to 15. Depending on the teams who enter the competition, games may played in Taupō, Turangi, Reporoa or Marotiri.

Taupō Players must register by Monday 01 April 2024 to ensure a spot in one of our teams.  We cannot guarantee that any registrations after this date would be accepted.  Fees must be paid as part of the registration process, which covers the NZ Football and WaiBOP Federation fees, and contribute toward the costs of running the club (please note that everyone involved in organising Junior Football are volunteers).

2024 Fees

First Kicks  $70

Grade 7 + $129

Teams are created by the committee, with the intention of mixing players of different abilities and experience to encourage an even competition over the season. Players play in their age level based on the year of birth, unless dispensation is applied for and granted to play in a different level. Teams are mixed boys and girls.

Players will be notified of their team & coach before the start of the season.  Coaches are typically parents / caregivers, and we are often short of coaches.  If you would like to find out more about coaching, please email juniors@taupofootball.org.nz.  Coaches will generally hold one practice a week, at a time & day determined by the coach

Grade 5-6 – First Kicks (5 and 6 Year olds – For 2024 season this means born 2018 and 2019

Grade 7 – Fun Football (Turning 7 this calendar year – for 2024 season this means players born 2017)

Grade 8  – Fun Football (Turning 8 this calendar year – for 2024 season this means players born in 2016)

Grade 9 – Junior Football (Turning 9 this calendar year – for 2024 season this means players born in 2015)

Grade 10 – Junior Football (Turning 10 this calendar year – for 2024 season this means players born in 2014)

Grade 11+ – Junior Football (Turning 11 this calendar year or female players turning 12 – for 2024 season this means all players born in 2013)

Open Grade – Youth Football (Boys turning 12 or older this calendar year, and girls turning 13 and older – for 2024 season this means boy players born 2012 or earlier and girl players born 2011 and earlier)

Dispensations

Each player will be put in the applicable grade based on their date of birth, regardless of what box is ticked on the registration form. If it is considered that a player would fit better in a lower or higher grade, then please note this no the registration form or email juniors@taupofootball.org.nz  prior to the close of registrations. This also applies to players who may have played up or down a grade in a previous season.

Game formats

As we are best able, we will aim to meet the below recommendations for the various grades. We

• reserve the right to:
• combine grades; and/ or
• amend player numbers

based on the numbers of players / teams registered at the close of registrations

Subbing

Each team manager / coach must give equal playing time to all players over the course of the season. Should any teams feel this is not happening, please contact juniors@taupofootball.org.nz.

Clothing and equipment

First Kicks players to wear clothes (any colour) that allow them to run around easily (shorts or tracksuit pants) and t-shirt or other shirt. Long socks and shin-pads are preferable. Football boots are strongly recommended.

There are no mid-week practices for First Kicks, and no regular playing teams.

Junior Football to wear royal blue shorts, royal blue long socks, shin-pads and football boots. Tops are to be purchased upon registration and are to be kept at the end of the season. Taupo AFC will supply some goalkeeper gloves that need to be returned at the end of the season. Padded goalkeeper tops will be provided.

Players should bring a full water bottle to each game and training.

Players should NOT wear any jewellery while playing or training.

Football Boots – moulded plastic sprigs are recommended.

Cancellations

If games are cancelled due to weather (which we try not to do), we make a decision by 7.30am and cancellation notices will be up from 7.30am on this website and the following places:

Taupo AFC and Taupo Junior Football Facebook Pages

https://www.facebook.com/TaupoFootballClub

https://www.facebook.com/taupojuniorfootballclub

Please don’t DM on Facebook or email us at 7.15am asking about cancellations.

Locations

Depending on the entries for each grade, Games may be played at:

Taupō: Crown Park in Taupō

Reporoa: 1256 River Road (halfway to Reporoa), 24km from Taupō (home games for Reporoa teams)

Marotiri: Marotiri Primary School, Tihoi Road (34km NW of Taupō)

Take some money for games in Taupō and Reporoa as they often sell drinks (hot and cold) as well as a sausage sizzle (to be confirmed).

See Location maps

Have fun and enjoy the season!