Whole of Football 2.0
If you haven’t been alerted to yet, please take a moment to see some of the changes that are being introduced from New Zealand Football regarding the framework for Junior Football in our region.
We feel some of these changes will be very positive and have a great impact to the growth and enjoyment your child will get from Football.
Details of the changes can be found here: https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/community/whole-of-football-2.0/overview
Waikanae FC will be holding an information evening for our members early March 2026 to provide details of how Waikanae FC are implementing these changes.
If your Child has been playing already, the changes are likely to be very minor.
FAQ’s
Q: Does my child change grade this year?
A: No for most. Essentially the grades stay the same as last year, but the eligibility is one year older. E.g. U10 teams from 2025 become U11 in 2026 so stay largely the same
Q: Do we still play on (sat/sun) at the same time as last year
A: yes
Q: Is there still all girls’ teams
A: Yes, we expect to field 2 u11 teams that Play Saturday morning at Otaraua park and one U13 that plays Sunday morning at Jim Cooke and in Wellington (home one week and away the next).
Age Grades for 2026
For local Kapiti based leagues, we will be fielding teams in the following age grade competitions:
| Age Grade | Eligible Players Born in Year |
| Under 13 | 2013 and 2014 |
| Under 11 | 2015 and 2016 |
| Under 9 | 2017 and 2018 |
| Fun Football | 2019, 2020 and 2021 |
| First Kicks | 2022 and younger |
Playing Up or Down an Age Grade
It is Waikanae FC policy that, in the first instance, all players are to play in competitions as per the age grades detailed above. Any requests for players to play up/down a grade must be made in advance to the Junior Committee. This also includes all players who have previously been granted dispensation to play up/down a grade in previous years.
All requests will be fairly considered by the Committee.
Expression of Interests in Coaching or Managing a Team
Waikanae FC is seeking Expressions of Interest from individuals interested in coaching our teams. If you are interested, please contact Sam juniors@waikanaefootball.com
Coaches and Volunteers are the cornerstone of all that we do here at Waikanae FC and if you wish to assist, help, support in anyway you are more than welcome, please come up and ask how to get involved.
2026 Season Dates
– Junior football will start on the weekend of 2nd May
– Junior football finishes on weekend of 29th August
Girls Only Football
WFC have girls only teams for U11, which is played on Saturday mornings at Otaraua park and an U13 team that plays in the Regional / Wellington wide competition on Sunday mornings, which alternates with home and away games.
Junior Committee
We are extremely fortunate to have a small group of dedicated volunteers keep our junior side of the club running, but we would always welcome more help. If you are interested in getting involved in the Junior Committee and helping to shape our club moving forward, we’d love to hear from you juniors@waikanaefootball.com
