First Kicks is 3v3 this year! (First Kicks is for our youngest players, 5th, 6th and 7th Grade,  age 7 and under).
 
3v3 means more touches of the ball, more time playing and more opportunity to try individual skills. 
 
But how does it work?
 
Some of our clubs run First Kicks "in house”, where kids don’t have a “team” for the season. They come along for First Kicks, where they do some skill activities, and are then put into teams for games. Their ‘team' will be different each week. 
 
Some clubs, especially in Hamilton, do need to form teams, as First Kicks is held at central hubs with multiple clubs.
 
Here what happens is that teams will usually have 8 players. No, we’re not suggesting that you have 5 subs!
 
First Kicks sessions are always start with skill activities (often where every child has a ball) followed by games. 
 
Each team of 8 will do skill activities, then split into two teams for games. One of the 2 teams will wear bibs. One team stay on the pitch (non-bib players), and the other team rotate (players with bibs). They’ll play 3 games against other teams in the “pod”. 
 
Having 8 in a team allows for one or two players to be away & we suggest that if all players are there, then play with 1 sub. If a lot of players are away, this might mean some games are 3v2. Don’t be afraid to borrow players from the other team to even up numbers.
 
Each team will have a parent/coach who will lead the skill activities (these are found in the free NZF App Coachmate) - when the team splits into two, another parent will be needed to help direct the play. 
 
Does this mean 4 year olds are playing 7 year olds? 
No. First Kicks is separated out into two groups - 5th/6th and 6th/7th grade. The 6th grade players will be allocated where they are best suited - players brand new to the game might be best with the 5th grade, while those that have played for a year already might be with the 7th graders. 
 
Want to know more? Want to learn more about how to run a First Kicks session, or be a parent help?
 
Come along to Intro to First Kicks (Free!)
 
10am Sunday 19th April, 2026 - Bremworth Park Register here
6pm Thursday 21st April, 2026 - Galloway Park Register here

Article added: Friday 17 April 2026