From age 10 (10th Grade) the focus for these grades is on developing their skills as part of a team playing in a safe and friendly environment.
Our 10th & 11th grade players play on Saturdays at clubs across the Western Bay of Plenty. They play 7v7 format.
We have two options for players in this age group
10th and 11th Grade Community teams
11th Grade Pre Academy teams
10th Grade & 11th Grade Important Dates/Contacts
Saturdays
Teams play in the Western BOP leagues and travel throughout the area to play against Clubs from Te Puke through to Katikati.
Training - 1-2 session per week
First session: 2nd May 2026
Final session: 29th August 2026
Location: All Home games for this age are played at Ferguuson Park.
No Football on the following holiday 2026 dates: 30 May, 11 July, 18th July.
10th Grade Coordinator – Mike Petterson I boysborn2016@otumoetaifootball.co.nz
11th Grade Coordinator – Abi Bamforth I boysborn2015@otumoetaifootball.co.nz
Grading is strictly based on the year of birth: (2026 Season)
2016 – 10th Grade | 2015 – 11th Grade
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10th Grade & 11th Grade Community teams
For players wanting to play in these community teams, our Club Coordinators will place teams based on the above criteria and information given on registration. Players are not required to attend any ID sessions for these community based teams.For those wanting a higher level of competition, see below information on our Pre Academy teams.
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11th Grade Pre Academy Teams
Saturdays
Training - 2 Training session per week + Game
Pre-Academy teams are created for players who demonstrate a higher level of aspiration, ability, commitment, and ambition, and interest in being in a more competitive and learning-focused environment.
During the season, players will have three weekly contacts: one session with our Academy Coaches, one with their team coach, and Saturday league games played with their Pre-Academy team. They will also take part in friendly matches arranged in both the pre-season and post-season periods (Including entry into our OFC Junior World Cup Festival).
All players selected for the Pre-Academy Programme will be considered for end-of-year tournaments.
Term 1 Pre Academy ID Sessions
Location: Fergusson Park
Time: 4pm-5pm
Schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks, beginning 10th February ending 26th February
Requirement: Players must attend at least 3 of the 6 sessions OR participate in the Term 1 Skills Development Programme to be considered for selection.
Our goal for 2026 is to have a minimum of two Pre-Academy teams in each age group, ensuring strong development pathways and opportunities for all players.
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Registrations and Teams
Registrations open January through to the 23rd of March. At the close of registrations, the grade coordinator will put the teams together based on requests as indicated on the registration form (they do their best, nothing is guaranteed). If you have a few friends wanting to play together, they will all have to indicate this on their registration.
Once all registrations are sorted into teams, the coordinator will email out team details (typically mid April). Each team will require a volunteer coach, assistant coach, and manager. All teams are provided with a kit bag at the start of the season which contains size 4 balls, cones, and bibs.
It is at the team's discretion what day of the week they want to practice.
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COACHES & MANAGERS
Each team will need a coach & a manager. Also someone to help referee half of the game. The coach may also require help from the manager or another volunteer to help with the substitutions.
Every team will be provided with a kit bag at the start of the season which contains balls, cones and bibs. It is up to the team if they have training or not (1 training session per week is recommended) and there will be the opportunity to request training space at Fergusson Park for practices.
Coaches are encouraged to complete a Junior Coaching Course which will be held in the Fergusson Park Clubrooms and at no expense to the coach. These usually require you to attend just one session and will help you with ideas on how to help the kids develop. Team Coaches should encourage positive behaviours, and all players to perform different skills and roles within the team.
ORGANISATION
The weekly draw will be made available on the Waibop website and App. This should be checked again on a Thursday or Friday before the game incase of any last minute changes. If your team needs to default the game for any reason, please contact your grade coordinator as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made for the opposing team.
TEAMS
Maximum of 10 players per team (7v7 Format)
PITCH
1/4 of a full pitch with 4m x 2m goals
FORMAT
The focus is on educating the players and helping them to learn the simple rules whilst enjoying their football e.g. it's fine to let a goalkeeper restart play again if they kicked the ball out of their hands.
The coach or manager will receive an email on game day and should use this to confirm the score by 4:00pm on Sunday. Scores are recorded to help with providing an appropriate challenge for each team, but not published.
The ‘retreating line’ rules are in use to introduce the concept of the ‘offside rule’. Learn more about the 'retreating line' watch the video or download the booklet.
PARENTS/SUPPORTERS
Parents/supporters should watch games from a few metres behind the outline. Provide encouragement to all players but leave specific football comments to the coach.
Those interested in playing an active role supporting the players could:
Manage a team working with the coach
Coach a team for one training and one game per week
Enrol on a Community Referee (CR) course so they can referee games.
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