Junior Mixed Team Hubs (Grade 9 - 12)

Our Junior Team Hubs are designed for teams to train together to share resources, knowledge and create a stonger connection across the grades

Players train in their teams with their volunteer or club coach for one team hub session each week. We aim to have all junior teams training together at the same time and the same location so that teams and coaches can work together and the ECB coaching staff can help out when needed. This is particularly useful when some teams have low attendance, they can pair up with another team to make it a meaningful training session. It also creates a stronger connection and community feel across the club.

Grade U9 - U10

All U9 and U10 teams will train together (in their age grades - separate sessions for U9 teams and U10 teams) at a centralised location at the same time, with the goal of creating a real 'Bays' community feel, with up to 80 kids and 8 teams training together at Ashley Reserve.

For the 2025 winter season, U9 and U10 teams will be led by an ECB supported volunteer coach for their trainings and games, with ECB providing four NZF qualified lead junior coaches that will also be coaching within the Team Hub sessions.

The ECB provided coaches will be working with each team and their volunteer coach on a bi-weekly basis to help provide a consistent, high-quality training experience for all of our U9 and U10 ECB players. This is a similar approach to our Mini Bays programme, with the key difference being the training content and format to support the players as they progress through the junior age grades.

What You Can Expect To See:

A thriving training environment with our U9 and U10 coaches and teams collaborating to provide the best possible football experience for our junior players at Bays.

Programme Details:

21 week programme covering the full winter season, with a three week pre-season training period. Training Days/Times TBC due to Council Field Allocations. Season games begin earlier this year, with the NRF season starting on Saturday the 5^th of April.

Cost: $255 winter season registration fee.

Additionally, there will be a small coaching fee to cover the professional coaches working in the programme. We are currently working on setting the coaching fees for the year, we want to ensure the fees are as fair as possible whilst providing access to consistent, qualified coaches in our Junior Bays programmes. Further details will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Grade U11 - U12

Differently to U9 and U10 at East Coast Bays where all of our teams train at the same time, we split our U11 and U12 grades to help provide more specific and targeted programmes. Team Hub is our organised 'team' training for the 2025 winter football season, with our U11 and U12 teams benefitting from the ability to train with other banded teams from their age grade.

For competitive teams, the Team Hub sessions will be organised and delivered by the club at a centralised time and location. As per 2024, we encourage the same training approach for our community teams, but we appreciate there may need to be some flexibility around times/venues to assist our volunteer coaches with their work/family commitments.

Our Team Hubs are delivered with the goal of creating a thriving 'Bays' community feel for our junior players and families.

For the 2025 winter season, U11/U12 competitive teams will be led by an ECB provided, NZF qualified coach for their trainings and games which comes at an additional cost above the club registration fee (details below). U11/U12 Community teams will be led by a volunteer coach. For the U11/U12 age grades, we aim for 3-4 competitive teams per grade (36-48 total players) who will be provided with a high-quality, consistent coaching experience delivered by ECB coaches.

What You Can Expect To See:

A thriving training environment with coaches and teams collaborating to provide the best possible football experience for our junior players at Bays.

How do I choose whether to register a for 'Competitive' or 'Community' team?

Competitive: Players who are committed to their football development and are interested in extra coaching support from East Coast Bays AFC qualified coaches. If your child wants to be considered for one of our competitive teams in 2025, please select the 'Friends and Skilled Players' or 'Skilled Players' options when registering for the 2025 Winter Season.
Community: Players who primarily play for social connection, exercise, and enjoyment. If your child wants to play for a community team in 2025, please select the 'Friends' option when registering for the 2025 Winter Season.

Competitive Programme Details:

U11 - Competitive Team Selection Sessions will begin on Wednesday the 5th of March, 5:15pm-6:15pm at Ashley Reserve. 23 week programme covering the full winter season, with a five week pre-season including the three 'Competitive Team Selection' sessions. Season games begin earlier this year, with the NRF junior football season starting on Saturday the 5th of April.

U12 - Competitive Team Selection Sessions will begin on Wednesday the 5th of March, 4:10pm-5:10pm at Ashley Reserve. 23 week programme covering the full winter season, with a five week pre-season including the three 'Competitive Team Selection' sessions. Season games begin earlier this year, with the NRF junior football season starting on Saturday the 5^th of April.

Competitive Team Cost:

$255 season registration fee.

Additionally, there will be a coaching fee to cover the professional coaches working in the programme. We are currently working on setting the coaching fees for the year, we want to ensure the fees are as fair as possible whilst providing access to consistent, qualified coaches in our Junior Bays programmes. This coaching fee is only for competitive teams and will be due AFTER the competitive teams are selected to help spread the total cost. Further details will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Community Programme Details:

Volunteer led trainings and games, starting three weeks before the season begins on the 5^th of April. Further details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Community Team Cost:

$255 season registration fee