First Kicks is a New Zealand Football mandated programme that is part of the evolution of football in New Zealand. It is a programme that is part of the ‘Whole of Football Plan’ (WOFP) that is specific to 4 and 5 year olds. These sessions are aimed at 4 - 6 year olds with or without any previous experience kicking a ball.

Early engagement for players as young as 4 years old into the game helps allow the children to opportunity to discover the game provide for learning basic fundamental movement skills and create positive football experiences.

When do we train/play? 

Friday afternoons between 5:00pm and 6:30pm behind the Marist Clubrooms, 17A Pascal St, Palmerston North.  The programme typically on a Friday

• Arrive 5.10pm

• Start training 5.20 pm

• Certificates 6.20 pm

What do the children require?  

We expect all children to arrive in white shorts, marist green socks, shin pads and it would be great if they have boots but sneakers are fine. Shirts will be provided for the length of the season.

Who trains the kids?  

Volunteers from the club or friends of the club who will be overseen by a co-ordinator from the Marist Junior Football Club. Parents will be encouraged to support the coach and their child when and where possible throughout the season.  A coaching evening will be held to upskill prospective coaches if necessary.

What’s new?  

This year and going forward we will be separating girls and boys in an effort to get more girls playing football, and to assist in them having more touches on the ball every session. We need the numbers in order for this to work, so bring a friend.

How does it work?  

Children are divided into teams, Depending on numbers 3 or 4 periods of 8 minutes each, of grid play will take place. The children rotate around the different squares with a "Game Leader" in each square for a different football-related activity in each. After this, the children have a team vs team game of football.  Parents will be encouraged to support their children during these exercises in a positive manner.

Fun Football is a New Zealand Football mandated programme that is part of the evolution of football in New Zealand. It is part of the ‘Whole of Football Plan’ (WOFP) that will eventually encompass the entire junior and senior spectrum of football in New Zealand.

How does it work?  

Your son or daughter is placed into a team following their registration and will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Grade Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach will be assigned/volunteer. They coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.

During the season the morning starts with three skills training exercises (set by NZ Football, these will be supplied to the coaches by Central Football).

Kids 11 + (2mins) Football coordination (6mins).

Kids 11 + (2mins) Football Technique (6mins).

Kids 11 + (2mins) Small sided game (6mins).

Each groups of players rotate through the exercises, while the coach stays where they are (i.e. the coach repeats their exercise three times).  

After the three skills training exercises, the team then plays two interclub, 15 minute games.

What do the children require?  

Players must provide their own white shorts, marist green socks, shin pads, and boots. Order items from Click here our club shop.

Playing shirts are provided by the club for the season once fees have been received.  They will be collected in at the end of each season and remain the property of PN Marist Junior Football Club.

When do we train/play? 

Each Saturday morning for 1½ hours at Monrad Park, corner of Highbury and Ronberg Sts. There will be ‘away’ games several times throughout the season (e.g. Feilding, Ashhurst). In 2019: 7th Graders played 10:30am-12.00pm and 8th Graders played 8:45am-10:15am.

Who trains the kids? 

Coaches and Managers are volunteers from the parent body who will be overseen by a coordinator from Central Football Hub Coordinator. Expert coaching from Central Football will also assist during the season. A coaching evening will be held to up skill prospective coaches.

What about mid-week practices?  

This is optional, there is the option of training with Kenny Santy through Manawatu Skill Centre on Wednesday from 3.30pm-4.15pm. To register email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Why are we doing this?  

It is NZF’s vision for football in the future. All clubs affiliated to NZF will be required to adopt this (and other) programmes aimed at developing the best possible football players, as well as developing higher participation in the sport. Marist Junior Football Club is following this mandate (as are other junior football clubs in the Manawatu).

Mini Football is a New Zealand Football mandated programme that is part of the evolution of football in New Zealand. It is part of the ‘Whole of Football Plan’ (WOFP) that will eventually encompass the entire junior and senior spectrum of football in New Zealand.

How does it work?

Your son or daughter is placed into a team following their registration and will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Grade Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach will be assigned/volunteer. They coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.
During the season the morning starts with approximately 2 skills training exercises (set by NZ Football, these will be supplied to the coaches). Your coach takes one skill depending if their team is the home or away team.  Once they have run the skill with their team, the coaches swap players and run the same skill through with the opposition team. After the 2 skills training exercises teams then play an interclub game.

What do the children require?

Players must provide their own white shorts, Marist green socks, shin pads, and boots. Please check out our online shop.

Playing shirts are provided by the club for the season once fees have been received.  They will be collected in at the end of each season and remain the property of PN Marist Junior Football Club.

When do we train/play?

On a Saturday morning most games are held at Monrad Park, corner of Highbury and Ronberg Sts. There will be ‘away’ games several times throughout the season (e.g. Feilding, Ashhurst or Levin).

Who trains the kids?

Coaches and Managers are volunteers from the parent body who will be overseen by a coordinator from Marist Junior Football Club. Expert coaching from Central Football is available during the season. A coaching evening will be held to up skill prospective coaches.

What about mid-week practices?

Once the coach is assigned to the team then the practices are arranged to suit the coach and/or the players. Most practices are held behind the Marist Clubrooms on Pascal St.

Why are we doing this?

It is NZF’s vision for football in the future. All clubs affiliated to NZF will be required to adopt this (and other) programmes aimed at developing the best possible football players, as well as developing higher participation in the sport. Marist Junior Football Club is following this mandate (as are other junior football clubs in the Manawatu).

Football New Zealand classifies 13th grade as ‘Youth Football’ (as opposed to junior football). Following the ‘Whole of Football Plan’, it presents players with their first experience of 11-a-side football (with standard football rules).

Who plays in the 13th grade? 

Any player who turns 13 in the current year will play 13th grade or any girl that turns 14 in the current year.

How does it work? 

Your son or daughter is placed into a team following their registration and will be in this team for the season (unless change is required, in collaboration with the Grade Coordinator and Club Captain). A coach will be assigned/volunteer. They coach/manage this team for the duration of the season.

What do the children require? 

Players must provide their own white shorts, Marist green socks, shin pads, and boots. Please check out our online shop.

Playing shirts are provided by the club for the season once fees have been received.  They will be collected in at the end of each season and remain the property of PN Marist Junior Football Club.

When do we train/play? 

On a Saturday morning for home (Monrad Park) and away inter-club games. The away games could vary between Levin, Ashhurst, Feilding, Hokowhitu Park and Wallace Park.

Kick-off time generally depends on the division in which the team has entered. Games are comprised of two 35 minute halves, with a 5 minute break at half-time.
Division 1 typically plays at 8:45am and Division 2 typically plays at 10:30am each Saturday.

Who trains the kids? 

Coaches and Managers are volunteers from the parent body who will be overseen by a coordinator from Marist Junior Football Club. Expert coaching from Central Football will also assist them during the season. A coaching evening will be held to up skill prospective coaches.

What about mid-week practices? 

Coaches will confirm training day and times once the players for the team have been advised.

Why are we doing this?

It is NZF’s vision for football in the future. All clubs affiliated to NZF will be required to adopt this (and other) programmes aimed at developing the best possible football players, as well as developing higher participation in the sport. Marist Junior Football Club is following this mandate (as are other junior football clubs in the Manawatu).