He Kaitākaro Tika. He Iwi Ora.

Juniors (5-13)

Junior football is played at Puarenga Park on Saturday mornings in the WaiBOP competition and is split into four age-bands, playing on different fields at different times.

Lakes FC have multiple teams playing in each age grade. Teams are not 'graded' (that is players are not selected for any particular team based on perceived ability) but are put together based on friendship groups, association to the coach, or general allocation. This approach aligns with NZFs thinking - that children who have fun in sport, stay in sport.

In order to play for one of these sides, children must be registered and typically this opens in February and closes in March, with the season kicking off at the start of term 2 (ordinarily the week after the Rotorua Marathon) and spanning 1.5 terms. If you have any questions about Junior football please reach out to the club

1) FIRST KICKS (5th | 6th Grade) 4v4

2) FUN FOOTBALL (7th | 8th Grade | U8 girls) 5v5

3) MINI FOOTBALL (9th | 10th | U10 girls) 7v7

4) MINI FOOTBALL (11th grade and above ) 9v9

For specific details of playing formats, including draws, you can find a WaiBOPs resources here.

Junior Girl’s Football

Lakes FC recognises the importance of girls having their own space to maximise their potential both on and off the field.

We understand each and every girl has her own motivation for playing football. We will work with parents and daughters to provide the playing environment that best meets the needs of each girl. As Rotorua’s largest club we have the ability to provide options and choices across the junior grades (5th - 10th grade) whether your choice is girls teams or mixed.

All girls from 5th-10th grade play locally in Rotorua.For any questions about junior football, reach out to us: office@LakesFC.co.nz.