Junior Football
At Central United FC we adopt the New Zealand Football approach to Junior Football. Our aim is to provide all children aged 5-12 years with high quality football experiences that increase passion for the game, fundamental movement and playing skills. All whilst having fun!

U5-U6 “FIRST KICKS” (BORN 2016 - 2015)
The focus for this age group is engaging the children in a safe, fun and rewarding environment. First Kicks players have one session a week on Saturday mornings at Kiwitea Street, 8:00am to 9:00am. Players are not put into formal teams in this age group and instead different groups are formed each game day. The format of the morning will include activities to introduce basic coordination and football skills, and will finish with small-sided football games.
The season starts on Saturday 8 May 2021 and will continue until the end of September. Games will be scheduled for each Saturday except on 17 and 24 July, which are the middle and last Saturday of the July school holidays.
The fee for the 2021 Winter season for U5-U6 grades is $tbc.
U7-U8 “FUN FOOTBALL” (BORN 2014 - 2013)
The focus for this age group is playing fun games with lots of time on the ball. Fun Football players have one session a week on Saturday mornings at Kiwitea Street. Players are not put into formal teams in this age group and instead different groups are formed each game day. The format of the morning will include activities to develop basic coordination and football skills, followed by small-sided football games.
U7 gamedays are 8:00am to 9:00am.
U8 gamedays are 9:15am to 10:15am.
The season starts on Saturday 8 May 2021 and will continue until the end of September. Games will be scheduled for each Saturday except on 17 and 24 July, which are the middle and last Saturday of the July school holidays.
The fee for the 2021 Winter season for U7-U8 grades is $tbc.
Additional weekly training sessions are provided by our partner Auckland City FC Academy. These sessions are open to any player keen to learn and include football and futsal. For further information, please check out their Academy page HERE.
U9-U12 “MINI FOOTBALL” (BORN 2012-2009)
The focus for this age group is training that looks like the game, to encourage children to be comfortable on the ball. Mini Football players will be placed into a team to train once a week for the season and play against other local clubs in games coordinated by Auckland Football Federation (AFF).
U9/U10 play 7v7 with goalkeepers on quarter-pitches for a duration of 50 minutes. Home games are played on Saturday mornings at War Memorial Park (Field No. 5). The entrance is on Denny Avenue, Mt Roskill.
U11/U12 play 9v9 with goalkeepers on half-pitches for a duration of 55 minutes. Home games are played on Saturday mornings at Three Kings Reserve (Field No. 2). The entrance is on Smallfield Avenue, Three Kings.
The season starts on Saturday 8 May 2021 and will continue until the end of September. Games will be scheduled for each Saturday except on 17 and 24 July, which are the middle and last Saturday of the July school holidays.
The fee for the 2021 Winter season for U9-U12 grades is $tbc.
Additional weekly training sessions are provided by our partner Auckland City FC Academy. These sessions are open to any player keen to learn and include football, futsal and goalkeeping. For further information, please check out their Academy page HERE.
GIRLS FOOTBALL
For U5 to U8 grades, girls and boys are placed into mixed groups/teams, ensuring there is a comfortable mix where possible.
For U9 to U12 grades a girls-only team option is available, which plays in a girls-only league. Or girls can continue to play mixed football. If your daughter wishes to play in a girls-only team please indicate this in her registration.
An additional girls-only training session is provided by our partner Auckland City FC Academy. These sessions are open to any player keen to learn football skills. For further information, please check out their Academy page HERE.

Playing Kit
Each junior player will need to purchase their own playing strip (shirt, shorts and socks). This will be available at a 'pop-up' store at the Kiwitea Street clubroom, date to be confirmed.
Prices
> Shirt: $50
> Shorts: $40
> Socks: $15 a pair
> Combo (shirt, shorts, socks): $95
Additional Gear
Boots and shin pads are compulsory and players are not permitted to play without them. These are available at a number of sporting goods stores.
When purchasing a ball, please ensure players have a ball of the appropriate size for the grade they play in. These are:
> U5 - U8 grade: plays with a size 3 ball
> U9 - U12 grade: plays with a size 4 ball
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have any questions on Junior Football at Central United, please contact Michael Marinovich (Junior & Youth Coordinator) via email: juniors.youth@centralunitedfc.co.nz