The Junior Framework provides a consistent, coordinated national approach to the development of junior players.

Whether children enjoy football because it’s a fun way to make friends or they’re inspired to follow in the footsteps of their heroes and play on the world stage, the Junior Framework has been developed to kick-start their dreams.

The Junior Framework provides a consistent, coordinated national approach to the development of junior players. Its main aim is to provide all junior players with high quality football experiences that increase both skill levels and the passion for playing football.

Through the Junior Framework players will experience age appropriate football games and coaching in a programme that is specifically tailored to meet their football wants and needs.

The Junior Framework offers age appropriate games formats and training recommendations for the following age groups:

• McDonald’s First Kicks (4-6 years old)
• McDonald’s Fun Football (7-8 years old)
• McDonald’s Mini Football (9-12 years old)

PRINCIPLES

Underpinning the Junior Framework are the following principles which provide a clear structure for programmes to be developed under.

1. Accumulation of hours and number of touches
2. Early engagement
3. Recognising the development age of the player
4. Training emphasis periods
5. Four corners approach (incorporating the Physical / Mental / Social-Emotional / Technical-Tactical abilities of players)
​​​​​​​6. Age-appropriate games.

SMALL SIDED GAMES - THE KEY INGREDIENT

Street football across the world has been instrumental in the development of world-class players, and small sided games are the cornerstone of developing technically proficient and creative football players in a New Zealand context.

The benefits of small sided games extend far beyond technical and tactical development. They ensure children develop an innate love for the game and remain in our sport for longer.

For information on McDonalds Junior Football please see the uploaded resources. 

RETREATING LINE

This coaching tool has been successfully implemented in Junior Football throughout the world. It has also been used successfully by Federations in New Zealand over the past few years. The Retreating Line rule enables and encourages our young footballers to start to develop and enjoy a style of play in keeping with World's best practices and New Zealand Football’s playing philosophy.

The game involves playing the ball out from the back with defenders learning to control and accept the ball. Midfielders check to receive and play between the lines, while strikers learn to defend from the front and use the retreating line to make angled runs. This provides realistic player movement both on and off the ball, making it a great format for the modern game.

Be sure to check out the below flyer with all the rules and regulations you need to know for the season.

The Youth Framework will look to capitalise on that success by keeping young players involved and making sure they are enthusiastic about playing in the vulnerable age category of 13 to 19.

“Research tells us that the youth years are when a lot of young people drop out of playing sport,” says NZF Youth Development Manager Andy Boyens, himself a former All White and ex-professional player.

“With that in mind, it’s really important that the quality of the environment that players experience is really high to keep them engaged and motivated in the game for longer. The Youth Framework will provide clubs and schools with information on how to offer a high-quality environment, regardless of a player’s motivation or ability.”

The Youth Framework document is based on world’s best practice and provides guidance on training and match day for both football and futsal.

It will be distributed to all clubs across New Zealand and the ultimate goal is to provide youth-aged boys and girls with a quality experience tailored to meet their needs and encourage them to stay in the game.

“The Youth Framework is an essential element of the Whole of Football Plan and is based on extensive research,” NZF Technical Director Rob Sherman says.

“It caters for all players, from those who simply want to play football to those who aspire to play at the highest level. It also guides coaches on how to support players by providing a range of appropriate competition and training structure environments,” he adds.

“This next step in the Whole of Football Plan will be essential in retaining players and providing a roadmap for those with potential.”