First Kicks is for players who have turned or will be aged 3 - 7 this calendar year (born 2023 - 2019).
Saturday mornings
First Kicks players are given the opportunity to enjoy discovering football at their own speed through FUNdamental skills delivered by qualified and enthusiastic coaches in a positive environment.
These sessions mix FUN activities (such as tag games, stuck in the mud, bull rush) and small sided games to encourage the development of FUNdamental skill, movement and touches on the ball and are tailored to the players needs.
Sessions are held at Fraser Park 8am - 9am on Saturday mornings
Fun Football is for players who have turned, or will be turning 8 & 9 this calendar year (born 2018 - 2017)
Team placement
Players are placed into small teams of 5-8 players at the beginning of the season. We aim to place players with their friends or children from the same school that they may know.
We encourage your child to head along to the Allocation days on led by our Director of Football - Alistair Yates. These will be held on Tuesday 17th March / Tuesday 24th March. Meet up with team mates & friends from previous seasons, bring a friend along and meet new players.
| U8 - U10 | 4.00pm - 5.00pm | Fraser Park Turf |
Mid-week Training
Teams participate in a parent led training session on Tuesdays after school. These sessions build on the skills that they may have begun to develop at First Kicks football (you do not have to had attended First Kicks in prior years to join) they mix FUN activities (such as tag games, stuck in the mud, bull rush) and small sided games to encourage the development of FUNdamental skill, movement and touches on the ball and are tailored to the varying needs of players.
Saturday games
On Saturdays, teams come together at Fraser Park Turf and play in 5 v 5 games against other teams from Lower Hutt City. Typically small station rotation skill sessions are used to warm up before playing small sided games.
Fun Festival Weekend *
Typically every third weekend Capital Football schedules a Festival Day. Here teams from around the Hutt Valley come together and play each other in 3x15 minute games. The venues maybe at different parks around the region. Captial Football publishes the draw (usually) on the Thursday prior and this determines where and when you will play and your opposition.
Options for Girls Only football
Girls have several options to play football.
Capital Football have published the season dates for 2026.
| Season start date | Saturday 2nd May |
| Season end date | Saturday 29th August |
First Kicks is run at Fraser Park Saturday mornings 8.00am - 9.00am where we have the use of the Ricoh Centre indoor astro turf, LHC indoor astro gymnasium, and the outdoor turf.
Fun Football is also run at Fraser Park on Saturday mornings 9.00am - 10.00am. again we have the use of the Ricoh Centre indoor astro turf, LHC indoor astro gymnasium, and the outdoor turf.
* note Fun Festival Weekend for U8 and U9 may mean playing different times and locations.
School Holidays
There is junior football on the first and third weekends of the school holidays, but we have a scheduled break during the middle weekend.
Each player needs to have their own
Lower Hutt City AFC uses Dynasty Sports as the sole supplier for ALL our club playing kit and supporters gear. Club green socks and shorts can be ordered online by following this link Dynasty Sports - Lower Hutt City
First Kicks (U3-U7) players wear trainers on the indoor artificial turf.
Fun Football U8- U9 wear football boots when playing on outdoor surfaces (trainers on indoor turf)
Football boots can be purchased at most sporting goods stores or Trademe. They must not have metal sprigs or cleats as they are NOT PERMITTED on artificial turfs.
The club provides each team their kit (which must be returned at the end of the season) which includes:
Team Coaches and Managers
Creating a fun, positive environment for players is paramount. The more support we can get from parent(s) /whānau the better!
Can you help us out?
Team Management
Each team needs to have a coach(es) / manager(s) who will
Coaching
Training / game days are led where-ever possible by coaches and volunteers, so we need your help to make success. You don't be a past player or pro - you just need to be keen and enthusiastic. The club will support you to grow & develop your skills too, and can help with a range of coaching development courses offered inhouse and via NZF Learn along with training guides to support your journey. Please contact the Director of Football or Club Captain Junior & Youth for more information.
Refereeing
Games need to be managed by parent(s)/volunteers, and each team should have at least one referee (or a number that can be rostered on) so your coach can guide the players. Refeering at this age is not super strict and aims to keep the game flowing. The club supports those interested in upskilling. Please contact the Director of Football or Club Captain Junior & Youth for more information.
Interested in helping around the club?
All clubs need volunteers to help out, and could not function without this invaluable support. Whether this be on a committee, club days, fundraising & sponsorships, venue and logistical assistance, events & tournaments. And we need you to our club be the club of choice in the Hutt Valley. If you are keen, and would like to have more information then Fill out your expression of interest here
Click the button below to register for the 2026 season
Fill out all the required information on the registration form
Pay your season registration fee with your debit /credit card or via a payment plan**.
The Club Administration Fee for First Kicks (U3 - U7) is $55 per player
The Club Administration Fee for Fun Football (U8 - U9) is $145.00 per player
If you need additional support for your player, you may wish to consider Football for All. This is a Wellington Phoenix FC programme delivered in partnership with Capital Football that offers varying levels of support for children 5 -18 yrs and is aimed at reducing barriers to participation so children can enjoy the beautiful game. Contact us before registering so we can give you information or check it out online here
Club Admin Fees
🚨 Due to the ever-increasing numbers of non-payers year on year, the Executive has implemented a 'pay before you play' policy. From 2026 and beyond, ALL Club Admin fees are now required to be fully paid via Friendly Manager by debit / credit card payment at the time of registration. (Unless alternative payment plan arrangements have been made) 🚨
To thank members who get organised early, we’ve secured an exclusive Wellington Phoenix experience ⚽
👉 The first 20 Junior & Youth members to pay their fees in full will go into a draw to WIN:
• A behind-the-scenes tour of NZCIS’s state-of-the-art High Performance Training Centre
• The opportunity to meet the Wellington Phoenix First Team during a live training session
📅 The draw will take place on the first day of the season.
💚 Pay early. Play football. Be in to win.
If you need any further information, please contact:
| Club Secretary | Renee Fortune | secretary@lhcafc.org.nz | 027 6420036 |
| Director of Football | Alistair Yates | dof@lhcafc.org.nz | 027 2750809 |
| Club Captain Junior & Youth | Craig Smith | juniorandyouthclubcaptain@lhcafc.org.nz | 027 8019978 |
| Club Captain Women's & Girls | Catherine Davis | womensandgirlsclubcaptain@lhcafc.org.nz |