Mini Bays (Grades 5 - 8)

Our Mini Bays programme is often the first experiences with club football. Therefore, we strive to provide a safe, enjoyable football experience for our future stars, providing them with a technical base and inspiring a love for the beautiful game!

Our programme of over 200 kids is able to be run thanks to the support of our Mini Bays Partner New World Long Bay.

Game Day

Mini Bays game days are on Saturday mornings between 8am and 10am and are an intra-club based programme led by volunteer game day facilitators. Each game day will consist of 3 x 15-minute games. This year’s program will see some changes around rules of the game, for example, a power-play where the team removes a player if they are winning by more than 3 goals (this changes a challenging point for all players to support their development on game day). Also, the defending team will drop to halfway on a restart to encourage playing from the back.

Grades 5-6 and Grade 7 play 8am till 9am each Saturday
Grade 8 play 9am till 10am each Saturday

>> Check out some of the action below and in our Mini Bays Gallery

Training

This year we have decided to formalise our First Kicks Grades 4/5/6 and Fun Football Grades, 7 and 8 training program. Players will receive a dedicated training night and a weekly game to better support the development and enjoyment of our young players.

The training day will have a designed curriculum centred on our “FUNdamentals - ball mastery, movement competency and love for the game! This station rotation style training session will be split into skill games and mini-games to create a fun development based football experience.

The teams will be coached by either qualified, experienced coaches or passionate and skilled volunteers wanting to begin or continue their coaching journey for the benefit of the players and coaches.

Key Information - DATES & TIMES for 2024

The season aligns with school terms 2 & 3. Game days start Saturday 04 May 2024

Games Location - Ashley Reserve, Long Bay

Game Day (3 x 15 minute games):

Game days start Saturday 04 May 2024

Grades 5-6: Saturday 8.00-9.00am
Grade 7: Saturday 8.00-9.00am
Grade 8: Saturday 9.00-10.00am

Draws are distributed to coaches/ managers every Wednesday evening.

Training Location - Bay City Park

Training starts Tuesday 30th April 2024

Training slots are:

5th/6th Grade - Tuesdays - 4pm to 4.45pm
7^th grade - Tuesdays - 4.45pm to 5.30pm
8^th grade - Tuesdays - 5.30pm - 6.15pm

What grade is my child?

Grade 5: born Jan 1, 2019 - Dec 31, 2019 inclusive

Grade 6: born Jan 1, 2018 - Dec 31, 2018 inclusive

Grade 7: born Jan 1, 2017 - Dec 31, 2017 inclusive

Grade 8: born Jan 1, 2016 - Dec 31, 2016 inclusive

What uniform is required?

Players will be provided with an ECB playing shirt that needs to be returned at the end of the season.

Club shorts and socks can be purchased online here or visit the Uniform Shoppe in Long Bay for all your East Coast Bays gear requirements:

The Uniform Shoppe Long Bay
P: 027 3038 087
83 Te Oneroa Way
(Under Jetts Gym)
Long Bay,
Auckland 0630.
theuniformshoppe.co.nz

Shop Hours

Tuesday : 12noon - 4pm
Thursday : 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Saturday : 10.00am - 2.00pm
Monday, Wednesday, Friday Closed