The below player pathway provides a clear road map for players, parents and administrators within the Waikato Bay of Plenty Federation to follow.
We believe that by maintaining high standards within the programmes that we offer along this pathway there is no reason why Waikato Bay of Plenty players shouldn’t be competitive against the likes of the David Beckhams, Ronaldo’s and Mia Hamms of World Football.
As the diagram demonstrates all players are provided with an opportunity to take their first steps on the potential professional and international player journey through involvement in club programmes such as the Small Whites initiative as well as the federation’s skill centres.
To cater for the more accomplished club / school based player, Waikato Bay of Plenty Football facilitates a federation wide representative programme. Involving the six regional districts that lie within the federation’s boundaries, it provides male and female players aged 8 – 15 with the opportunity to represent their local area.
The Regional Talent Centre’s provide potential elite players, aged 12 – 16, that have been identified from the representative programme with an environment to further enhance their development. Within this programme the federations aims to prepare our young footballers to take on the countries best in the various games days and tournaments that we compete in. It is from this programme that Federation coaches identify and monitor players for National Talent Centre selection.
If a player has excelled enough to make it this far, the hard work has only just began, as they leave the federation structure to join the senior ranks. They include the New Zealand Football youth, men’s and woman’s National Leagues and possibly professional football.
For an in-depth explanation of the programmes the federation is responsible for in this pathway, please click on the below heading of interest
