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

1. 1. 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.
   2. Junior Lilywhites, aged 5 to 8, who are just beginning to fall in love with the beautiful game.Coaching programmes will promote fundamental movement patterns and basic football skills in a way that players feel excited, included, creative, and enjoy every session. Under the guidance of NZ Football Advanced Coach and Men’s First Team player Tyler Lissette, coaches will work to create a high-energy, fun, and age-appropriate environment that encourages maximum touches on the ball. Players will learn the basic skills of passing and travelling with the ball, which underpin our Lilywhites Playing Style Statement at all levels.
   3. Foundation Players, aged 9 to 14, who are practicing their skills and enjoying their social football. Foundation Players will not be eligible for selection into an NRF team and should continue with in-house football. Train once a week with NZ Football accredited coaches to practice basic technical skills such as travelling with the ball, striking and receiving the ball, shooting, and individual attacking and defending. Foundation players are social players who want to practice and develop their skills with structured coaching sessions. The Foundation programme will focus on a curriculum of core technical skills, overseen by Head of Football Shane Knowles.
   4. Pathway Players, aged 9 to 15, who are needing more competitive challenge point and want additional structured coaching sessions. All Pathway Players will be selected into NRF teams, and can generally play in-house as well as this. Train twice a week with NZ Football accredited coaches under the guidance and oversight of our Directors of Football (DOFs), Michael Built and Tayla O’Brien. Pathway players train as a group during the week, focusing on core technical skills and play in their selected NRF team on game days. As the season progresses, DOFs will work with game day volunteers to incorporate core tactical elements such as positioning, combination play, and pressing in high and wide areas. Pathway players will have access to digital resources such as basic strength & conditioning, simple mental skills information, and core player performance rubrics.
   5. Development Players, aged 9 to 17, who are committed to their individual development and wanting to train and play at the highest of their ability.All Development Players will be selected into NRF teams, and can generally play in-house in the relevant grades on top of this. Train three times per week under the guidance of a NZ Football Advanced Coach and qualified assistants in sessions which promote technical, tactical, physical, and socio-emotional growth. Players will work on an age-appropriate mix of core technical and tactical skills which underpin the Lilywhites Playing Style at all levels, including passing and combination play, creativity under pressure, and quick defensive transitions in key areas. Development players will focus on key mental skills under the guidance of HeadStart Coaching, receive nutrition and strength & conditioning support from first team trainers, and begin their Individual Development Profiles with assistance from their coaches. Youth players will receive best practice recovery advice, and have the opportunity to review technical footage of select games throughout the season.