Petone FC
FOUNDATION FOOTBALL
KEY DATES
Season Starts: Sat 2nd May
Season Ends: Sat 29th August
Saturdays at Memorial Park
First Kicks: 9.15 to 10.15 am
U7: 8 to 9am
U8: 9.15 to 10.15 am
U9: 8 to 9 am
No football middle weekend of school holidays.
About First Kicks
Who it’s for:
First Kicks is for players turning ages 4 to 7 this calendar year.
When:
Saturday mornings
How it works:
Players are placed into age-appropriate pods, allowing children to build connections with others in their age group. Each session includes skill-based activities designed to develop core techniques, followed by small-sided games where players can apply what they’ve learned in a fun and supportive environment.
What players learn:
-
Dribbling
-
Passing
-
Shooting
-
Movement and balance
All activities are delivered through fun, game-based formats, including variations of tag, bull rush, and “stuck in the mud.”
About 8th & 9th Grade
Who it’s for:
U8s (2018 born) is for players turning age 8 this calendar year.
U9s (2017 born) is for players turning age 9 this calendar year.
Teams
Players are placed into small teams of between about 5 to 8 players at the start of the season. The teams are put together by grade coordinators, who will aim to place your child with their friends or kids from the same school.
Foundation Training Hub
Day: Mondays
Time: 5:15pm - 6:15pm
Teams participate in the Foundation Training Hub each Monday from 5:15pm – 6:15pm. This is the dedicated training time for all U8 and U9 players and takes place on the turf. The session is designed to provide consistent, structured development in a fun and engaging environment, focusing on core skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, movement and coordination.
Saturday Games
On Saturdays, teams play against other Petone teams in 5v5 games. Teams generally begin with a brief ball mastery activity to warm up and then play three 15 minute games.
Format
U8s: 5v5 including goalkeepers
U9s: 5v5 including goalkeepers
Festival Weekends
Every third Saturday is Festival Weekend.
Teams play games against other clubs from across the Hutt Valley, with matches held at different venues around the region. Capital Football publishes the draw in the week leading into each Festival Weekend, confirming game times and locations.
When and where?
Key Dates
Season Start: Saturday 2nd May 2026
Season End: Saturday 29th August 2026
Times & Locations
First Kicks U5/6:
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:15 am – 10:15 am
Venue: Memorial Park - Warm up turf
First Kicks U7:
Day: Saturdays
Time: 8 am – 9 am
Venue: Memorial Park - Warm up turf
U8s:
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:15 am – 10:15 am
Venue: Memorial Park - Main turf
U9s:
Day: Saturdays
Time: 8 am – 9 am
Venue: Memorial Park - Main turf
Please note:
During Festival Weekends, U8 and U9 games may be scheduled at different times and locations.
School Holiday Break
First Kicks runs on the first and last weekend of the school holidays, but we take a break for Easter weekend (if it falls during the season) and the middle weekend of the holidays.
School Holiday and Summer Programmes
The club runs a popular school holiday programme, and summer programmes during terms 1 and 4. We would love to see your child involved! More information can be found on the "Programmes" page here.
What gear do you need?
Players need to have their own:
-
Plain blue shorts.
-
Blue football socks.
-
Football boots.
-
Shin pads.
Football boots and shin pads can be bought from most sports stores and off TradeMe. Socks and shorts can be purchased from Football Central or from most sports retailers in Wellington.
The club provides each team with the following equipment at the beginning of the season (all of which must be returned at the end of the season):
-
Blue Petone FC playing tops (1 per player).
-
Bibs.
-
A player of the day trophy and certificates.
Balls, cones and other equipment required for Saturday morning games and activities are provided on the day.
Coaches & managers
We want to create a fun and positive environment for our players. The more support, encouragement and involvement from parents the better!
Team Management
Each team needs a coach/manager to:
-
take responsibility for the team's gear, and ensure it is all returned at the end of the season;
-
act as a point of contact for the team - for example, making sure players know when and where to turn up on Saturdays; and
-
award the player of the day award each weekend.
Coaching
Trainings/activities/games are led by parents and volunteers, so we need your input to help make the season a success. You don't need to be a football pro - you just need to be enthusiastic and willing to learn. The club provides a range of coach development trainings and resources to help keen coaches improve their coaching ability.
Refereeing
Games need to be managed by a parent or other volunteer. Refereeing courses are available to those interested in upskilling - but at this age refereeing is not strict and should focus on keeping games running with minimum stoppages.
How to Register
Step 1: Register for the winter season
Click the button below to register for the 2026 season.
Choose to pay your registration fee online (via credit card) or via a payment plan. If you'd like to pay via a payment plan, please email adminsupport@petonefootball.org.nz to arrange this. The registration fee is $110 for First Kicks (U5-U6) and $170 for Foundation (U7-U8.)
Please email registrations@petonefootball.org.nz with any questions.
Step 2: Grade Coordinators will put together teams
Grade Coordinators will put players into teams after registrations close, in March.
Grade Coordinators will then be in touch with you, with information on your team and the start of the season. This might not be until late March / early April.
The club will separately email you once registrations have closed with more information on the season, how things will work, key contacts, and other key details.
Step 3: The season starts!
Kick off on Saturday 2 May, 2026!