Rotorua Fun Football Playing Format 2025 - 8th Grade 

​​​​​​​Start time: 10.15am​​​​​​​

Each week, teams do two Skill Activities (7 mins each) followed by two 15 min games. 

"Fun Football" for 8th Grade is played 5v5, with no Goalkeepers. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Skill Activities: 

Activity 1: Trucks & Trailers

Activity 2: Statues

Activity Timeline

• 10:15am – Assemble on your allocated Pitch with your team and begin Activity 1 (Activities can be delivered as one group -2 teams together, or two separate groups on half field each) 
• 10:22am – Move onto Activity 2 
• 10:29am – Drinks break before starting Game 1 (stay on allocated pitch for game 1)
• 10:35am – Hooter sounds for start of Game 1
• 10:50am – Hooter sounds for end of Game 1 (team named 1st in draw stays on allocated Pitch, other team moves to next Pitch)
• 10:55am – Hooter sounds for start of Game 2
• 11:10am – Final hooter sounds – present ‘Player of the Day’ awards 

Please note: the team named first in the draw stays on their allocated pitch, the team named second rotates to the next Pitch (move alphabetically A – B – C etc.).

Examples of the weekly activities can be viewed on the NZF Coachmate app and/or on the website at NZF McDonald's Junior Framework Coaching Manual

Skill Activities 2025 Season HERE

Fun Football Grade 8- Key Points

Small-sided games with lots of touches are great for young players as they focus on fun and skill development.

The 5v5 format means more time on the ball, keeping kids involved.

Two shorter games against different teams keep them engaged (without to much focus on tactics, or big scorelines).

• 5v5 format
• 30 minutes game time (Ideally 2x15mins)
• No goalkeepers
• No offside rule
• No corners
• Ball kicked/dribbled back into play (No throw-ins)
• No published match results or ladders
• Both coaches can be on field during the game (only one can referee)