Students from nine schools across the Northern Football Federation (NFF) region were introduced to the beautiful game in term one thanks to The 5+ A Day Football in Schools programme.

The Football/Futsal in Schools programme is targeted at primary and intermediate schools, providing them with practical support to maximise the time children spend engaged in physical activity while in the school environment.

At the helm of the programme in the northern region is NFF Community Development Manager Mel Giles, and supporting her in the delivery included Forrest Hill Milford United and New Zealand U-20 women’s representative Sam Tawharu and Birkenhead United first team player Clarke Foulds.

Foulds’ biggest buzz in delivering the schools programme was seeing the smiles on the kids faces.

“I really enjoyed coaching in term one because it was a chance to give back to the community and give kids a go at the sport that I love, and help develop their skills along the way," he said.

“The biggest buzz I got out of it was just seeing the young kids smile and enjoy playing football and seeing everyone giving it their best even if it was out of their comfort zone.”

Tawharu lended her time mainly to the Special Needs and Learning Centre Units at Glenfield, Orewa and Rangitoto Colleges.

“It’s been an absolute blast,” Tawharu said.

“I’ve mostly been working alongside special needs and learning centre kids and that has made it even more fun. Their excitement levels and overall participation was huge, as well as their joy to have a go.

“I could see a drastic change in ability and the want to participate from the first to the last session. They were also just genuinely good, down-to-earth people who wanted a good time.”

Jenni Verity, a teacher at Glenfield College’s Wilson Unit, commended Giles and her team for a successful programme, one that was used as build-up preparation to their Special Olympics Football Tournament to be held in term two.

“The professionalism of the NFF staff and their ability to adapt skills training to different levels was really superb.”

Interested in getting your school involved in the Football/Futsal in Schools programmes? Contact NFF Community Development Manager Mel Giles.

SCHOOL PROGRAMMES

Primary/Intermediate Schools

• Football in Schools
• Futsal in Schools
• Futsal lunchtime/afterschool drop in centres
• Futsal or Football “have a go day” festivals
• Support with local zone days
• Girls only options
• Teachers' professional development sessions in delivering the programmes

Secondary Schools

• Coaching courses
• Refereeing courses
• NCEA credits – Futsal
• Link with local primary/intermediate zone day support
• Link with local coaching in schools delivery 

The following schools took part in term one programmes:

• ACG Sunderland School and College (Futsal lunchtime drop in centre)
• Pinehurst School (Futsal lunchtime drop in centre)
• Pinehurst School (Futsal afterschool drop in centre)
• Avondale Primary (Futsal in Schools)
• Glenfield College – Wilson Unit (Football in Schools delivered to students with a disability) 
• Orewa College – Learning Support Centre (Football in Schools delivered to students with a disability) 
• Rangitoto College – Learning support Centre (Football in Schools delivered to students with a disability) 
• Silverdale, Kingsway (Football fun day)
• Royal Road Primary (Football in Schools)

Story courtesy of the Northern Football Federation