With the changing needs of young people at the centre, The Secondary School Aged Football Review has been released today, making a number of significant recommendations for football for secondary school aged participants.

The review was conducted as a key action area of Football in New Zealand – the Strategic Direction 2020-2026: to “Facilitate youth pathways that meet participant needs with an emphasis on partnerships between schools and clubs”.

A working group involving representatives from New Zealand Football, Sport New Zealand, regional federations, School Sport New Zealand, New Zealand Secondary School Football Association (boys and girls), secondary school principals and a member of the Regional Sport Development workforce collaborated throughout the review process and supported the development of the final report.

A comprehensive survey of nearly 4000 respondents (including secondary school aged players, parents/caregivers, coaches, administrators and match officials) was conducted, and then nearly 100 young people (aged between 12 and 19 years old) were interviewed in focus groups across Aotearoa from a range of backgrounds and playing motivations to explore a range of key themes from the survey responses.

One of the key findings was the significance of both club and school football to participants.

“There was significant value placed on both club and school football, with over 90% of participants indicating they wanted to be involved in both,” says New Zealand Football Technical Director Andy Boyens.

“To achieve this, there are clear recommendations for change where the systems and structures of youth football don’t allow for this freedom of choice. We know that different regions face different challenges to achieve the recommendations, and it’s important that there is meaningful regional engagement with affected stakeholders to ensure a level of comfort moving forward,” he says.

Highlighting the value of both club and school football, the review developed key recommendations across three focus areas: governance, participation opportunities, and timing and delivery. 

“It’s been clear to all involved that there is significant value placed on both club and school football for secondary school aged participants and that any and all outcomes should not detract, but instead enhance the great mahi that is being done in both clubs and schools,” says Boyens.

The Secondary School Aged Football Review, which includes detailed key findings and recommendations, can be read in full here

Article added: Thursday 25 August 2022