WaiBOP Football

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will the updated resources be available?

NZF and federations are developing updated resources. Many of them are available at the link above. Others will be available later in 2025. Details of the changes, including changes to field and goal sizes as well as guidance for how to deliver the updated formats have been shared with clubs and schools leaders to support the ongoing preparation for change. If your club or school does not have this information, please contact Alida Shanks alida.s@waibop.co.nz

With smaller team numbers, we’re going to need more pitches to accommodate the increased number of teams but we don’t have the space for more pitches.

While there are an increased number of teams and therefore pitches, the actual green space needed to accommodate the pitch sizes has potential to be reduced with the new guidance.

E.g. With U13 now being 9v9, you can play 2 games across half a full sized field with 36 players playing whereas under the previous guidance of 11v11, the same field would only accommodate 22 players. Clubs and schools are encouraged to examine their current pitch set up to best utilise the field space they have.

WaiBOP Football has worked out configurations for most venues and are discussing these with clubs and schools. If we haven't met with you yet, please reach out to Alida Shanks alida.s@waibop.co.nz.

What happens to dual age bands (e.g. U11/U12 that currently plays 9v9 but now plays 7v7 and 9v9 respectively) with the updated guidance?

Dual age banding will be adjusted to align with the new format progression. U11/U12 will become U12/U13.

Who’s responsible for the cost of goals needed for the change in formats?

WaiBOP Football have secured funding (subject to final approval) to purchase 400 goals for our region. These will be distributed on a loan basis to the pitches/locations based on the number of games hosted at that venue. For example, venues that host hubs in younger age groups require more goals. New goals will arrive in approximately February 2026.

The number of goals needed was determined by an analysis of current playing numbers, current playing fields and goals, and taking account future growth. Playing numbers and growth patterns were determined by registered players in the national registration system (comet) over the last 3 years.

Will the retreating line be a part of the rules for U13’s?

Yes, the retreating line will now extend to include the U13 age group to prepare players for the current goal kick rules in the 11v11 game.

What does this mean for the TDP (Talent Development Programme) and SKC (Skills Centre) programmes?

NZF is in the process of a review to evolve the TDP (Talent Development Programme) and SKC (Skills Centre) programmes in line with the updated WOF 2.0 guidance. NZF’s High Performance and Talent Plan is also being reviewed.

What type of goals are available?

There are a range of goals available, and these have been shared directly with clubs and schools. If your club or school has not received this list, please contact Alida Shanks alida.s@waibop.co.nz.

How do clubs store the additional goals that are needed?

Goal storage is approached in many different ways across the region. We encourage clubs and schools to meet with WaiBOP and your local councils if goal storage is an issue.

What will happen the girls-only dual banded grades like U8 and U10?

They’ll align with the new structure – moving to U9 and U11.

What ball size should be used if we have mixed age groups?

Always use the ball size for the younger group. If in doubt, use the smaller ball.

Why are goals being loaned, not gifted?

WaiBOP has secured funding (subject to final approval) that requires ownership to remain with the federation. Goals are being distributed on loan, and the specifics of the loan agreements will be worked through with clubs in the latter part of 2025.
The goals will come with a manufacturers warrantee, and details of this will be shared with clubs.

What support is coming to help manage the 3v3 format?

The aim is more involvement and more touches for each child. Research tells us 3v3 leads to better skill development and more fun, and kids and parents in the pilot programmes throughout New Zealand have enjoyed 3v3 more than 5v5.

NZ Football are developing resources, including video, that will outline flexible options of running 3v3, including how to manage squads and run game days with limited coaches.

Clubs and schools are encouraged to involve parents early on to help run game day.

We recommend that children are placed in groups of similar stages/ages.

Why the shift from U14 and U16 to U15 and U17 in the Federation Development Leagues?

At the moment, our federation youth leagues see a big drop in teams/clubs from U13 to U14. This is the age most players move to high school ,and some choose to play only for their school. Some clubs opting to play in the NRFL Youth leagues.

U15 and U17 should align better with participation trends, and should help clubs manage team formation.

Consultation with clubs currently participating in the federation development leagues is happening during August.

FAQs are currently being updated to include questions from clubs and schools, raised in the WaiBOP Football Club and School Online meetings, 24th and 28th July.

Whole of Football 2.0 has been introduced following a three-year period of international and national analysis.

Research shows that playing smaller formats of the game for longer significantly increases involvement in the game and touches on the ball for players.

This accelerates skill development, and better prepares participants for the transition to 11 vs 11 football, which is now happening a year later at the U14 age group.

New Zealand Football’s research, based on piloting the framework, shows that by going through the new Whole of Football 2.0 player pathway, players on average will accumulate over 3,800 more touches of the ball, and goalkeepers are more involved in the game, accumulating over 1,300 more goalkeeper actions.

In addition to changes to playing formats, updates have also been made to coaching and refereeing pathways

Changes in the coach and referee development pathways center around, removing duplication, providing more learning for those operating in the junior space, aligning learning outcomes across football and futsal, and continuing to develop digital tools to connect and engage with our volunteers, coaches and referees. A specific focus on attracting and supporting females through the provision of female only coach and referee courses/pathways should be a priority to ensure the gap between male and female leaders in the game is reduced.

Player development programmes, quality of coaching and quality of officiating are all identified in Sport NZ’s Voice of Participant survey as key drivers that impact player experience. It is vital that we improve our coach and referee development systems to better support the education of the coach and referee community to have positive impacts on our playing participants.