Welcome to Northern United, where our commitment is to make football accessible to individuals of all skills and abilities, providing opportunities for everyone to embrace this fantastic sport. In the wake of the Women's World Cup, which has brought a renewed focus on women's sports in Aotearoa, Northern United is dedicated to creating pathways for girls and women to engage in football at every stage of their lives, from community play at 4 years old to 65+.
This year, our primary focus is on expanding opportunities for girls and women, aiming to bridge the gap between Junior and Senior Football. Our Youth Football program is tailored for girls aged 13 to 18, with a seamless transition into Senior Women's from the age of 18 and even earlier for those eager to advance into these leagues. To help you navigate the exciting options available, we've outlined various pathways to suit your preferences.
U14 Girls:
- Koru League:
- Caters to girls turning 13 and 14, providing a more social playing experience with friends.
- We strive to create enjoyable team dynamics by matching players with their friends.
- Teams will need to nominate a Parent Coach, Manager, and Referee during the muster.
- Registrations open in early February.
- Kaimai League:
- Tailored for girls seeking a competitive level of play.
- Training is conducted by a dedicated coach appointed by our Director of Football, Che Bunce.
- Involves travel to the Bay of Plenty for a day of football against top teams and participation in the Weir Rose Bowl and Junior Tournament.
- Trials will be held Sunday 10th March @ 10:30am Discovery Park; interested players can register under Expression of Interest for the Kaimai League.
Waikato Secondary Schools Football League (15+):
Recognising the challenge of limited teams available for a league within Waikato for girls aged 14-18, Northern United is working closely with Waikato Secondary Schools Football Association (WSSFA) to address this issue. Our focus is to provide opportunities for girls who wish to participate in this great sport but are unable to do so due to their school's capacity constraints.
Our plan involves entering two teams into the WSSFA league under the Northern United banner in the 1st XI & 2nd XI secondary school league, specifically for girls aged 14 to 18. These teams will undergo weekly training sessions at KoriKori Park, led by a dedicated coach appointed by our Director of Football, Che Bunce. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support and training, nurturing the skills and passion of the girls for the sport.
As newcomers to this venture, we are committed to collaborative efforts with WSSFA at every stage. At this early juncture, we are actively seeking expressions of interest from girls turning 14 and no older than 18 years old in 2024. Please register under Expression of Interest for the WSSFA League before 20th March, 2024. Trials/Muster will be held on Sunday 24th March to determine the best team to suit your skills and abilities and will be communicated once expressions of interest have closed. Please note that any players who have registered and are provided an option by the school will require school approval before being accepted as part of this team.
We firmly believe that this initiative will not only enrich the girls' football experience but also make a positive contribution to the development of the sport in our region. We look forward to your participation and the exciting journey ahead!