Congratulations on introducing your child to football. It is a great game for kids as it encourages fitness, improves balance and coordination, encourages courage and tenacity, introduces them to strategic and tactical thinking and teaches them to be part of a cohesive team. We hope that you will enjoy watching your child grow in skill and confidence during their association with the club.

The Club will provide team strip (shirts). You will need to get royal blue shorts, socks that have a blue base and white turnover, shin-pads, and (grade 7 and above) football boots &  to ensure the team looks as uniform as possible. These articles can be purchased from NZ Soccer Shop. It is most important that you get shin-pads. Children are not allowed to play without them - you will understand why when you watch your first game! A mouthguard is not a bad idea either. Jewellery should not be worn, especially chains which can be grabbed in the heat of the moment.

For training your player will need their boots and shinpads but please don't send them in their uniform as it will get tatty and risks getting damaged.  An old pair of shorts and a tee shirt is fine.  The club doesn't require any particular training uniform.

While the club provides a ball per player to use during training it is a good idea to purchase a ball for your child to practice with at home. Please make sure you get the right size. Try to find a soft one as the cheaper harder ones get a bit uncomfortable to kick repeatedly Grades 5-8: size 3 Grades 9-13: size 4

Grading

You can find your players grade at the bottom of the page.  Grades 4- 7 are called First Kicks. They play at 8:30am on Saturday mornings at Pemberton Park. While there is no training for them some First Kicks coaches do run midweek (after school) training. All of their games are internal (BR vs BR) with the occasional game against Bethlehem  College teams. Grades 5 & 6 players wear trainers rather than soccer boots. We encourage wearing of club shorts and socks but it is not compulsory. However players must wear knee high socks to cover their shin-pads.

Once your player reaches grade 8 they will have midweek training and games will be against other bluse as well as other Blue Rover teams.  There is an even mix of home games and away games, ranging from Waihi to Te Puke.  You will find both draw and grade locations on the Waibop Website.

Finding your players grade

Players are sorted into grades based on their birthday this year.  So, if your player will turn 10 this year they will play in Grade 10. Girls, however, have the option of playing down a grade if they wish.  Here is a simple chart to help you get the right grade.

         Birth Year                    Boy                        Girl

2010 – 2013                First Kicks            First Kicks

2009                                    8                              8 or 7

2008                                   9                              9 or 8

2007                                  10                           10 or 9

2006                                  11                           11 or 10

2005                                  12                           12 or 11

2004                                  13                           13 or 12

2003                             14/15                     14/15 or 13

2002                             14/15                     14/15

In certain circumstances players are allowed to play up a grade but this is discouraged as it can lead to injury.  If you have any questions about this please contact the registrations officer.