Junior Football

It's not too late - Register now for the 2026 season to secure your space!

 

Is for children who have, or are turning 10 - 13 years this calendar year  (born 2016 - 2013).  The grade that your child will play in is based on their age for example if they have/are turning 10 in 2026 they will be in the U10 grade. 

 

Team placement

Children are placed into teams at the beginning of the season.  We aim to have children play with friends, those from the same school they may know, or from the same team as in previous years.  Team placement is about children developing their skills alongside others of similar ability in a FUN, positive environment.

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.

U10  4.00pm - 5.00pm  Fraser Park Turf
U11 - U13 + GO 5.15pm - 6.15pm Fraser Park Turf

Mid-week Training

Teams participate in a parent / club coach led training session on a Tuesday after school.  These sessions help to develop a players physical, psychological and socially ready to accelerate the development of their skill and challenge their fundamental movement competencies with the emphasis always on Fun, you then play a weekly Saturday or Sunday morning game.  Once you have been allocated to a team, your coach will advise details of your training time and venue.

We have a number of venues available for training; 

  • Ricoh Centre indoor astro turf
  • Lower Hutt City AFC gymnasium indoor astro turf
  • Fraser Park outdoor astro turf
  • Lower Hutt City AFC floodlit grass training pitch. 

Weekend games

Mini Football U10 - U11 ** (mixed league)

Seven players (including the goal keeper) are allowed on the field at any one time, with teams usually have between 9 - 11 players. 

U10 (mixed) play two 24 minute games (usually back to back) at the same venue on a Saturday morning

U11 (mixed) play one 50 minute game on a Saturday morning.  Girls Only play on a Sunday morning

 

Mini Football U12 - U13 ** (mixed league)

Nine players (including the goal keeper) are allowed on the field at any one time.  Teams usually have between 11 - 13 players.  Teams play one game of two 25 minute halves.  U12 (mixed) play on a Saturday morning,  and Sunday morning for (mixed) U13's and Girls Only.

 

Options for Girls Only football 

Girls have several options to play football.

  • in a Girls Only league U9 / U11 / U13 on a Sunday morning
  • Mixed Football.  Play in a team with girls and boys on a Saturday morning 
  • Mixed Football.  Play in Girls only team in a 'mixed' league (against boys and girls) on Saturday morning
  • Girls can opt to play in BOTH the mixed league on a Saturday  and Girls Only league on a Sunday 

More information about Girls Only football can be found here

Captial Football schedule the draws and publish these (usually) on the Thursday.  They determine where and when you will play and your opposition.  These can be found here

  

Season Info

Capital Football have published the season dates for 2026.

Season start date Saturday 2nd May
Season end date Saturday 29th August

 

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.  

 

What do I need to play?

Each player needs to have their own

  • LHC green shorts
  • LHC green socks
  • Football boots 
  • Shin guards

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

Players wear football boots when playing on outdoor surfaces / LHC indoor astro turf and trainers if using the Ricoh Centre indoor astro 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:

  • club playing top (one per player - please indicate your child's size on the registration form)
  • balls
  • bibs
  • cones
  • any other incidental items that maybe required 

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

  • look after the teams kit and ensure it is all returned at the of the season in a clean condition, let the Junior & Youth Club Captain know if any gear is missing or needs to be replaced.
  • be a point of contact for the team (such as sending out comms such as game day draws)
  • send in the score of your games on a Saturday morning

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  

 

How do I register?

  • Click the button below to register for the 2026 season

  • Fill out all the required information on the registration form

  • Pay your season Club Administration Fee with your debit /credit card or via a payment plan** 

    • The Club Administration Fee for Mini Football  (U10 - U11) is $145.00 per player

    • The Club Administration Fee for Mini Football  (U12 - U13) is $145.00 per player

    • If you are playing BOTH mixed (Saturday) & Girls only (Sunday) football then only one Club Admin Fee will apply
  • ** If you'd like to use a payment plan, before registering please email secretary@lhcafc.org.nz to arrange this. 

  • 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