GRADE 8 & 9 (born 2017 & 2018)

Some of our youngest members are introduced to football through ‘Fun Football’ – part of New Zealand Football’s Junior Framework.

The players learn new skills in a fun and friendly environment, taking part in weekly sessions that provide wide-ranging benefits:

  • Social & Emotional – lots of interaction, enjoyment

  • Technical & Tactical – lots of touches, 1v1s, attacking & defending

  • Physical – develop Functional Movement Patterns, more active

  • Mental – lots of opportunities for success and for decision making

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Saturday Mornings 

Teams play in the Western BOP North Zone leagues and travel throught the area to play against Clubs from Pemberton Park (Blue Rovers) through to Katikati. 

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.

8th Grade Coordinator – Vacant- grade8@otumoetaifootball.co.nz

Grading is strictly based on the year of birth: (2026 Season)

2018 – 8th Grade  |  2017 – 9th Grade 

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Registrations and Teams

Registrations typically open in January through to 23rd 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, and manager. It is at the team's discretion if they want to practice during the week or not. 

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8th & 9th Grade Format

Saturday Mornings 

The weekly draw is done by Waibop Football and will be live on their website each week. Teams will be scheduled to play two games per day usually. If only one game is scheduled then the team will do a training session proir to their first game starting. 

TEAMS

Maximum of 8 players per team (Teams play 5v5 format including GoalKeepers) 

PITCH

35m x 25m with 3m x 2m goals

FORMAT

2x 20 minute games

RULES

  • Players are encouraged to enjoy being in possession of the ball; the focus is on having fun and participation

  • There are throw-ins, goal kicks, corners, free kicks, or kickoffs (This is the first introduction to these elements of the game)

  • Coaches should try to ensure games are relatively evenly matched. If one team has more players than the opposition then the coaches can monitor the game and balance the teams as fairly as possible by sharing players

  • Team coaches will be on the sideline to encourage players and their positive behaviours. Coaches should encourage all players to perform different skills and roles within the team

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.