Youth
Youth Football | 13 - 17 Years
Registrations are now CLOSED for the 2024 season.
If you missed the registration deadline but are still keen to play this year, please email info@wanakafootball.nz. We may consider registrations based on team availability.
An additional administration fee may be charged.
ON THIS PAGE:
- Overview
- Player Pathways
- Youth Training Schedule
- Youth Club Season Dates
- Youth Fees
- Volunteer Coaches
KEY DATES:
- 19 January: Registrations Open
- 28 & 29 February: Youth Pre-Season Training starts
- 31 March: Registrations Close
- 27 & 28 April: Youth Season starts
- 4 May: YDL Season starts
- 7 July: Youth Season ends
- 31 August: YDL Season ends
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Player Pathways
Club Football
Our club football pathway provides the opportunity for players to play football for the duration of the club season. In 2024, there will be a U14 competition and a U17 competition. Players born 2009 will have the option to play 9v9 in a U14 competition on Sunday or 11v11 in a U17 competition on Saturday. On a case-by-case basis, we can assess the option for 2006 born players to get dispensation to play in the U17 competition.
The club football pathway is more social and teams are run by volunteer coaches. Players are required to commit to one training per week, although more may be offered depending on the coach.
For male players following this pathway, once they are too old to play U17 football, it is then possible for them to transition into one of our existing Senior Men's Teams.
The Academy
The Academy at Wānaka AFC offers a year-round football programme for aspirational young players who are highly committed and motivated to develop their football. Wānaka AFC will have a team in the Southern Football U15 Youth Development League and this team will be exclusively made up of academy players who train full-time within the academy programme. Select players in our Senior Academy may also begin training and gaining playing experience with our Men's First Team in the ODT Men's Southern Premiership League.
Participation in The Academy is by invitation only, or players can contact us directly to participate in the trial.
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Youth Training Schedule
U13 & U14
Wednesday | 4.00 - 5.15pm | Wānaka Recreation Centre
Begins Wednesday 28 February | Ends Wednesday 3 July
U17:
Thursday | 4.00 - 5.15 at Kelly’s Flat
Begins Thursday 29 February | Ends Thursday 4 July
U15 YDL:
Please refer to The Academy training schedule
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Club Season Dates
Youth Club Season begins Saturday 27 April, running for 11 weeks, ending Sunday 7 July.
U15 Youth Development League (YDL) will run 4 May - 31 August.
ODT Men’s Premiership will run 6 April - 31 August.
Central Otago Football League will begin 16 or 20 March - TBC
Under 14 teams will play on Sundays and will travel within the region. Under 17, Under 15 YDL and Senior teams play on Saturdays. The YDL and Senior Men’s ODT Premiership Teams are the only teams that travel out of the region. Youth players will travel within the region for games on weekends. Home games will be held at Wānaka Recreation Centre or Kellys Flat.
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Fees
Youth U14/U17: $165.00
Youth Development League: $275
Fees must be paid online at the time of registration with a valid credit or debit card. If this is not possible for you, please contact us at info@wanakafootball.nz to discuss other payment options. We never want cost to be a barrier to participation, and we are here to help, so please contact us if you would like to put a payment plan in place to pay membership fees in instalments or to discuss options around financial assistance.
Additional fees will differ for players participating in the Pre-Academy, The Academy or other Wānaka AFC affiliated programmes.
Sibling Discount: For families with three or more children registered to play with Wānaka AFC for the season, we offer a 50% discount on the eldest child’s membership fee.
Volunteer Coach Discount: Volunteer Coaches will receive a 50% discount on the fees of the child whose age group they coach for the club season.
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Volunteer Coaches
As always, we are on the lookout for volunteer coaches for 2024! With 50+ Junior and Youth teams in the club, we rely on our amazing volunteers to support our young players and make the football season run smoothly.
If you’re interested in becoming a Junior or Youth volunteer coach next season, please let us know! To show our appreciation for your time, we offer volunteer coaches a 50% membership fee discount for one of your children playing Junior football.
The club is able to offer amazing formal and informal Coach Education and support in the form of ‘Coach the Coach’ sessions, coaching manuals, full training programmes and the opportunity to gain NZF-recognised coaching accreditations.
Email us at: info@wanakafootball.nz to express your interest and let us know the age group you’re keen to coach.
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Questions? Email: info@wanakafootball.nz
