Welcome to another season of Football and for many it may be welcome to Northern Rovers FC to our First Kicks program for our U8 year old's. The season will kick off on Monday 31 March for your first training sessions before our in-house games commence on Friday 4 April underlights with a nightly prizegiving.

Registrations

Registrations for the 2025 season are open and will close on Friday 28th of March. Please get your registrations in early to avoid disappointment of not being placed into a team with friends. All players are required to be registered by the 28th of February with their registration fee of $195 paid in full.

Training

For the 2025 season all First Kicks training will be held on a Monday night at Becroft Park, with Grade 5&6 (born 2020 & 2019) from 4.15-5.15pm and Grade 7&8 (born 2018 & 2017) from 5.30-6.30pm. Please note this training will be held at the far end of the club in the corner closest to Tristram Ave and Becroft Drive. As parking will be at a premium please be patient and do not block residents driveways. Parking is available on Becroft Drive off Bond crescent where you can walk under Tristram Ave and appear at the training location.

In-house Games

First Kicks will play under the bright lights of MCFetridge Park on Friday nights with Grade 5&6 (born 2020 & 2019) kick off at 5pm and Grade 7&8 (born 2018 & 2017) kick off at 6pm. All teams will play a round robin of x2 20 minute games and we ask a parent from each team to please assist with on field directions. Where able we will provide a referee to assist 

FANTAILS

Fantails was introduced last year by NZ Football following the success of the FIFA Women's World Cup held here in NZ and Australia. This program is designed for girls and run by girls introducing you to all elements of football and is packed full of fun activities it's a gateway to a world of fun, friendship, and personal growth through the beautiful game. Aimed at young females aged 4–12 years, our programme is specially created to welcome new players to football within a captivating and secure environment.

Why Choose Fantails?

Boost Confidence: In our nurturing space, girls can express themselves freely, explore new possibilities, and build self-esteem through achievements and encouragement.

Fun and Enjoyment: Our sessions prioritise delight in learning! With imaginative and engaging activities, your child will fall in love with football and futsal.

Develop Life Skills: Beyond game skills, Fantails cultivates essential life lessons, including respect, positivity, and resilience against life's hurdles.

Friendships: New faces soon become fast friends at Fantails! We're passionate about fostering these meaningful connections among our young players.

Female Role Models: Inspiration abounds here, with strong female figures for girls to admire and emulate, supporting them to dream big both on and off the field.

Improve Skills & Movement: Through our programme, girls get to explore the 11+ Kids fundamental movements, enhancing their football skills and general physical fitness.

Team placements

If you have a group of friends you wish to play with you should have indicated this on your registration form, if you have not done this please update your registration with these details. Where possible we will place teams together based on friendships and secondly schools. If you have not advised which school your child attends please update this on your registration form. Please do not email as we do not have the resources to answer this number of requests at this time. Teams will be assigned and at the Monday 31st March training players will be put into their teams. Please ensure you are registered by Friday 28 March to be placed into a team and avoid disappointment. Anyone registered after the 28th will be placed on a waiting list until there are enough players to for a new team.

Volunteers

We are still looking for more helpers to come forward, in particular Grade Convenors. With the majority of the hard work underway, this would be a good time to get involved to understand how you can help us and help our members receive all the information both parties need to deliver and receive. WIthout volunteers coming forward, a community non for profit based club like ours struggle to meet the requirements of all parties in a timely manner, that we all strive for. If you are finding the costs a barrier, please get in touch and we may be able to assist in exchange for some volunteer work. This is a great way to offset these by helping us, and gives back to you as much as it gives back to the club, so get in touch now.

Every team will require a team manager who will be the single point of contact with the club to help manage communications, we have been lucky enough to have a few indicate on their registration forms at their willingness to manage however if your team does not have a manager we will require you to discuss amongst yourself to nominate someone and advise us.

Club Shop

If you are not sure about sizes, we have a new club shop opening on the 1st of March at McFetridge Park which will be fully stocked with all items seen online at the Club Shop so come down and try on before you buy. Opening hours and days of operation from the 1st of March are TBC and will be announced soon. If you are looking for some part time work, Lotto are looking for assistance to run this shop, please see further information here

Article added: Friday 21 February 2025