The Kaitaia junior football season is kicking off this Saturday and competition organisers noted there was still plenty of room for anyone keen on playing this season.
So far each of the competition's three major divisions - under 8s, 10s and 13s - has four teams. As in 2016, all teams/ grades will play alongside each other at one of three venues, starting with Kaitaia Intermediate School this Saturday, then the Eastern fields at Taipa on May 13, Te Rarawa in Ahipara on May 20, before returning to Kaitaia Intermediate on May 27.
The U8 (i.e. catering to players aged under 8 as of January 1, 2017) games will kick off at 9am with sides playing two 20-minute halves, the U10s at 10am with two 25 minutes halves, and the U13s at 11am, also playing two 25 minutes halves. All games will get a five-minute break for halftime.
Plans are afoot to also have an U17 grade, depending on numbers on each day. As well, the developmental First Kicks programme for players aged from 4-6 will be hosted by the hosting club at each venue every Saturday from 9 to 9.30am.
Kaitaia United AFC president Brendon Morrissey also reminded the organisation had now affiliated to the governing body, Northern Football Federation, for the first time and said he believed the merger will create huge opportunities for talented local players and their coaches keen to take their game to the next level.
