Juniors & Youth

2026 GRADE FORMATS

Our 2026 season will look slightly different as we implement the NZ Football Whole of Football 2.0 - read more here. Among the changes are updated game formats and structures designed to foster a lifelong love of football and prioritise skill development from an early age.

Playing formats for 2026:

Playing Dates: All Youth and Junior games start Sat May 2nd and run through till Sun 6th Sept (no games King’s Birthday & Matariki weekends.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

U10-U12

Te Atatū AFC exists to provide a complete football pathway for our community — from First Kicks through youth development and into senior football. Our playing philosophy ensures every player can grow, enjoy the game, and reach their potential while contributing to a positive club identity.

U10s - U12s – The Next Step

The U10s to U12s age groups represent the transition from First Kicks and Fun Football into Youth Football. This stage focuses on continued enjoyment, skill development, and gradually increasing challenge, while still placing players at the centre of the experience.

How it works:

At the start of each season, we review registrations to understand who is returning and who we are welcoming as new players. Our goal is to create balanced teams where players can enjoy football, develop their skills, and feel comfortable within their environment.

When forming teams, we consider:

Friendship groups where possible
The most appropriate challenge point for each player
Coach availability and volunteer support

We do our best to accommodate preferences, while ensuring teams are fair, supportive, and development-focused.

Open Club Day

For both new and returning players we will have an OPEN CLUB DAY - SUNDAY 8TH MARCH 10AM-12PM. This is a great opportunity to:

Meet club representatives and coaches
Ask questions
Have a go and see what Te Atatū AFC is about

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details.

Team Allocation

Player allocations are carefully considered at club level and are overseen by the Director of Football and Grade Coordinators, with input from our volunteer coaches where possible. While we aim to work with preferences, final team selection rests with the club to ensure the best overall outcome for players and teams.

Training & Game Days

Training: Held during the week, depending on coach availability
Game Days: Saturday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm

Teams compete in competitions managed by NRF (Northern Region Football).

Home games are played in Te Atatū Peninsula
Away games are played against other West Auckland clubs at their home grounds

Results & Grading

Game results are not published. Instead, they are used by NRF to determine the appropriate challenge point for each team and to support the fluid grading system that operates throughout the season, ensuring teams remain well-matched and players continue to develop.

YOUTH FOOTBALL U13-U19

Youth football at Te Atatu AFC is about taking your game to the next level as you enter the full pitch game. We aim to offer our players the challenge point that is right for them and the opportunities to develop their game in the pathway they choose.

How it works:

Mixed U13-U17 grades
Options of Community teams or a more competitive team (Sunday Conference/Championship teams).
Girls U13-U17 grades
We aim to offer a team in each grade to provide opportunities for our female youth to play at the best level for them. Dual age banding allows options to play “up or down” a grade depending on what is appropriate and best for the player.
Trials/Musters
For new and returning players, trial/muster days aid team selection and is especially important for those wanting the more competitive pathways - held early March - keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details.
UPDATED TRIAL/MUSTER INFO
Conference / Championship Grade Trials (Sunday Teams)
- U13 - Sun 8th & 15th March 3pm
- U14 - Fri 13th March 6pm & Sun 15th March 6pm
- U15 - Sun 8th & 15th March 4pm
Community Grade Musters (Saturday Teams)
- U13 - Sun 8th & 15th March 3pm
- U14 - Fri 13th March 6pm & Sun 15th March 6pm
- U15 - Sun 8th & 15th March 4pm
- U17 - Sun 8th & 15th March 5pm
- U13-U16 Girls - Fri 13th March 6pm
Team Allocation
Player placement is undertaken with careful consideration.
For Conference and Championship (competitive) grades, teams are selected based on trial outcomes. Please note that higher fees are associated with these teams - this will be made known once teams are selected.
For Community-level teams, the emphasis is placed on maintaining social connections, with individual preferences accommodated where possible.
All final team selections are made at club level, under the supervision of the Director of Football, with input from coaches where practicable.
Training
Teams train once or twice during the week dependent on team requirements and coaches availability. Community teams generally train once a week, while our Championship/Conference teams would have 2 trainings per week.
Match Days
Community level teams - SATURDAYS
Conference/Championship teams - SUNDAYS
Kick off times between 11am and 3pm.
Competition
Teams will play in a graded competition managed by NRF - home games will be in Te Atatu Peninsula and away games will be against other Auckland wide clubs at their home grounds.

VOLUNTEERS / COACHES / TEAM MANAGERS

We need loads of volunteers to help so that our kids can have a great football season. You do not need to have any “football skills” to help out, just enthusiasm.

Most of our Junior and Youth teams are coached by our fantastic parents/caregivers who volunteer their time to make sure our players get to take the field each week.

We are always in need of more volunteers - coaches, team managers, referees, grade co-ordinators.

Please reach out if you are interested in helping out or want to know more - juniors@teatatufootball.org

NORTHERN REGION FOOTBALL

Te Atatū AFC is supported by Northern Region Football, the entity for Football in Auckland and Northland

Follow the below links for more information about the NRF Competition Framework:

NRF Competition Regulations and Resources
NRF Juniors
NRF Youth
NRF Junior Handbook