Juniors: 8th Grade Boys & Girls 2021

At ESAFC we run four pathways which encompass both our training sessions and games

In-House: Games for players aged 5 - 14 who are new to football or looking to play socially without the added commitment of training. Players register as individuals through our clubhub system, and then teams are allocated by our volunteer grade coordinators. Games are played on Saturday mornings against other ESAFC teams for the duration of the winter football season.

ESAFC PLUS+: NZ Football accredited training programme designed and coached by Community Officer Stephen Hoyle with a range of qualified coaches. The programme is available to all players in grades 4-8. This programme is aimed at accelerating development and unlocking potential as players advance towards Junior and Youth football at Eastern Suburbs. The programme focuses on our ESAFC values and football philosophy, stemming from our first teams through to all junior and youth members. ESAFC PLUS+ will be taught at an age appropriate level and offer all players maximum participation in a fun station-rotation format as they begin to fall in love with the beautiful game.

Development Programme: Training programme designed for players 9^th Grade and up who are starting to get into their football and want to train and play with their team each week. Development players must commit to two trainings over the Winter season and will compete with their team, either up a grade in the ESAFC In-House leagues or in an AFF competition depending on their age. Each training session is run by a qualified ESAFC coach under the same philosophies found in our Academy programme. Teams are selected during Term 1 Preseason training, as we feel this gives the coaches a better idea of players and where they are best fit within their own development.

ESAFC Academy: Training programme designed for players 9^th Grade and up who are committed to the game and their individual development, wanting to train and play at the highest of their ability. Over the Winter season, Academy players must commit to three training sessions per week as well as playing with their team each weekend in an AFF/NRF competition. Each training session is run by a professional coach under NZF Skill Centre/Talent Development Programme guidelines. Teams are selected during Term 1 Preseason training, as we feel this gives the coaches a better idea of players and where they are best fit within their own development.

2021 Registrations open Monday 11^th January

COST & UNIFORM

All players pay a subscription (membership) fee of $165. Pay before the 1^st March and receive an Early Bird Discount.

Family Discount of $70 is available from the 3^rd playing member in each family

All players need their own uniform, available from the ESAFC shop at Madills Farm;

White ESAFC Shirt
Black ESAFC Shirt
White ESAFC Shorts
White ESAFC Socks
Football Boots
Shin Pads

EASTERN SUBURBS AFC IN-HOUSE GAMES

All In-House (IH) players must pay a Winter Subscription fee and register on our Winter ClubHub database. You may request to be in a team with friends as part of the registration process, but all teams created at the discretion of our fabulous volunteer Grade Coordinators.

In-House Season starting May 8^th and finishing September 4^th with Gala Day @ Madills Farm

All in-house players must be registered before the close-off date Friday 16th April 2021

Each in-house grade from 7^th and up will also have a Festival Day throughout the season

Grade Coordinators

8^th Grade Boys	Anna Hammond	Email	027 424 7517
8^th Grade Girls	Kate Park	Email	021 592 299

WHO

8^th Grade boys & girls born 2013

WHERE & WHEN

8^th Grade Boys games are at Madills Farm on Saturday mornings

Game 1 at 10:55am and Game 2 at 11:20am

8^th Grade Girls games are at Madills Farm on Saturday mornings

Game 1 at 10am and Game 2 at 10:25am

There will be no in-house on the middle or last weekends of the school holidays. Games will be played as normal on the first weekend of the holidays.

In-House season starting May 8th and finishing September 4th

CLICK HERE for Madills Farm pitch map

HOW

Teams play on 1/6 of a standard pitch, with small goals

Games are 20 minutes long with a 5-minute break between games

Games are played with a size 4 football

For Rules CLICK HERE

TEAMS

Each team has approximately 5 members and are allocated by the grade coordinators. Team requests can be made on your registration form, but please be aware that you may not always get your requested team.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Each in-house team requires volunteers for coach and manager, with other parents rostered to set up and take down the goals. We encourage teams to organise their own training sessions throughout the week to prepare for game day.

All parents/spectators (excluding coach) are expected to stay outside of the pitch lines during games to avoid damage to the grounds.

IN-HOUSE FESTIVAL TIMETABLE

Sunday June 13th	7^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm, 9am – 12pm
Sunday June 27th	8^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm, 9am – 12pm
Sunday June 20th	9^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm, 9am – 12pm
Sunday August 8th	7/8/9 Grade Girls	Madills Farm, 9am – 12pm
Sunday June 13th	10^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm, 1pm – 4pm
Sunday July 4th	11^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm, 9am – 12pm
Sunday July 4th	12^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm, 1pm – 4pm
Sunday June 20th	13^th/14^th Grade Boys	Madills Farm 1pm – 4pm
Sunday August 8th	10^th – 14^th Grade Girls	Madills Farm, 1pm – 4pm

EASTERN SUBURBS AFC TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Term 1 2021 commencing the week 25th January and finishing 16th April

Term 2 2021 commencing the week 3rd May and finishing 9th July

Term 3 2021 commencing the week 26th July and finishing 1st October

IN-HOUSE TRAINING OPTIONS - ESAFC PLUS+

For 8^th Grade players the best training option is 7/8 Fun Football at Madills Farm – for more information or to register, CLICK HERE

Although we will not have trials and formal development teams in 2021, if you feel your child would like the challenge of playing up a grade in the in-house competition please contact our administration team.