WaiBOP Football will be offering an U16 Girls League in 2025, that will run across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. 

This league is an extension of the U14 Koru/Kaimai leagues, aimed at bridging the gap between youth and senior female football.

What this will look like:

Age: Girls born 2009/2010 (turning 15 or 16 in 2025)
Format of League: Teams across Waikato and Bay of Plenty 
Game Days: Games will be played on Sundays 
Format Played: 11 v 11
Playing Level: Kōhine of any ability wishing to remain connected with their club.

With thanks to the incredible mahi from our Clubs and previous Women’s Development Officers, we have had a growth of 27% of women and girls playing football in our rohe/region over the past five years.

We are now in a great position to be able to offer an U16 Girls League in our WaiBOP rohe.

Our girls-only leagues currently stop at U14 (the Kaimai and Koru leagues). Some High School aged girls are able to continue to play football at school, but that’s not an option for all.

Many girls wish to continue playing for their club, and with girls they’ve grown up playing with, and this league will provide that option for them.

Offering the U16 Girls League next season is timely, with the recent 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup shining a light on women and girls’ football in our region.

This league will bridge the gap between Junior and Senior female football, and will provide a space for further development for any kōhine wishing to stay connected to their club.

It will mean that in many parts of our region, clubs will be able to offer a full pathway in the female-only space with girls being able play from age 5 through adult in female only teams.

While this league is not a ‘Talent’ League, it is an extension of the U14 Koru/Kaimai leagues, providing a place for kōhine of any ability to play – for aspiring and community players alike.

Players who wish to play in this league next year can contact their local club to express their interest, or contact one of the following clubs:

Omokoroa - president@omokoroafc.co.nz
Northern Utd - wag@nusc.org.nz 
Hamilton Wanderers - wfdmhamiltonwanderers@gmail.com 
Cambridge - juniors@cambridgefootball.co.nz 
Te Awamutu - info@teawamutuafc.co.nz 
Matamata - dwayne@dbmm.co.nz 
Morrinsville - admin@morrinsvillefootball.nz

If you are unsure who to contact, or would like more information, contact WaiBOP Women’s Federation Development Officer Nat Broadhead natalie.b@waibop.co.nz 

If your club would like to enter a team and have your contact details added to this list, contact Nat. 

Article added: Wednesday 11 December 2024