News

UPDATED: 31 JANUARY 2018

Trials are held for players in 9th Grade and above for players interested in playing in the top two teams to enter each grade’s Premier Leagues. 
It’s ok if you do not want to trial, and these players will be put into teams with those that are not selected via the trial process based on where they live, schools they attend, any specific requests, or volunteer coaches etc. These teams will play in the Hutt Valley league which is more social than the Premier League.

Pre-trial training sessions
These are open to everyone and not compulsory. Pedro Garcias, junior director of coaching will give players training sessions, provide guidance and explain the trials process for the kids.

At the Maidstone Turf. Please pay a $2 donation for each practice to cover the one-off turf fee.

9th grade – Tuesday 13 + 20 February, 5 – 6pm
10th grade – Wednesday 14 + 21 February, 5 – 6pm
11th + 12th grades – Saturday 17 + 24 February, 5 – 6.15pm
13th + 14th grades – Saturday 17 + 24 February, 6.30 – 7.45pm

Trials dates and venues 

You must be registered by 26 February to be able to trial. Check your venue as they are being in held in two locations.  

Goalkeeper trials will be arranged separately – more details from your grade managers.

How trials work

Our goal is to have consistency across the grades and conduct the grading process in an equitable and fair manner. Trials ensure players are placed in teams suitable to their level of ability and commitment.

• Assessors will meet with grade managers to confirm the grading format.
• Players will be assessed during the trials and independent volunteers will make notes and meet with the Grade Manager after each trial to discuss player attributes as required.
• After the second session the Premiere League squad will be selected. Thereafter the other teams in the grade will be named.
• Parents / caregivers will be contacted by their grade manager informing them of the team their player is selected for.
• Players do not have to attend trials, however if you wish to be considered for the Premier teams/squads then trials attendance is mandatory.
• The grade manager, the top two team coaches and the director of football will decide from the squad of Premier League players the final make-up of the teams for the start of the season. 
• The grade manager is the final arbiter of any selection disputes.

Trial assessment areas

New Zealand Football “Whole of Football” grading criteria include:

• Technical competency – the ability to perform basic skills under pressure – e.g. shooting, dribbling, juggling, passing, turning
• Game intelligence – decision making, anticipation, pro-activeness
• Physical capacity – speed, agility, strength, endurance
• Character and personality

New Zealand Football best practice recommendations have been incorporated into the trial process to assess technical competency and enable selectors to gauge player ability. Specific age-groups will place emphasis on some areas more than others.  
The aim of the trials is to ensure players get the opportunity to show their wares.
We’ll conduct at least two trial sessions, which are progressive with selectors mixing players to get a good look at all attending. Small-sided and age-group appropriate sided games will be played for a maximum of 15-minutes duration.
Selectors aim to give all players equal game time and opportunity to rest and take on fluids.
Selectors should also take into account previous knowledge and past performance of returning players.
The committee will supply at least one impartial experienced coach to assist coaches in selection.
It should be noted that the coach must be able to select his or her team.
The impartial selector is there to assist and ensure the trials process is fair and equitable.