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Kaikohe Football Club – Supporting Women’s Football
posted: 5 July 2012 Kaikohe Football Club – Supporting Women’s Football
The Kaikohe Association Football Club has been in existence since 1974. Traditionally known as the Kaikohe Wasps; the team has always been based at Lindvart Park in Kaikohe.
The club has a successful history both on the field and at the committee table. For much of the 70s, 80s and 90s the club was capable enough to field both an A and B team. Whilst the senior team has been in several League finals it has never won the League Championship, however it has won the League Cup and the Stafford Choat Cup.
In the last ten years there has been a steady decline in the club's profile and with the retiring of key stalwarts over the years the club slowly moved towards recession. This is not a problem unique to football or the Kaikohe area; in reality it is a problem different sports clubs are facing across the country.
Background and Partners
When Sport NZ targeted seven sports nationally to provide planning and good practice for growth strategies at a regional level, football was one of the sports. As a consequence of this, Sport Northland has worked with Northern Football Federation regionally and Kaikohe Association Football Club at community level, to embark on planning processes to increase participant numbers.
Activity
In 2009 a new committee made up mostly of parents of players, acting as a JMC committee supported the club to field junior teams from 6th grade to 12th grade. One of the club’s priorities is to develop teams across all grades, from junior to intermediate to collegiate to senior.
This year the Kaikohe Club is hosting First Kicks & Fun Football (4-8yrs) for the Western Area (Kaikohe & Ohaeawai) every weekend at Lindvart Park.
Because the cluster competition utilises parental guidance and allows children to be more frequently involved in the game, club numbers for this age group have increased significantly from the 2011 season. The club has again fielded a 10th grade mixed team (9-10yrs) and a 12th grade mixed team (11-12yrs) in the Mini Football league for 2012.
This year the club decided to look at their ability to field a woman’s team in the NFF Women’s League. A women’s team seemed the more appropriate avenue for several reasons;
• There are 2 high-school teams; Okaihau College and Northland College, which have school teams that are not participating in this NFF league.
• There are limited opportunities for field sports for women in Kaikohe.
• Men’s football was seen as a having several barriers; currently Men’s football plays on a Saturday along with League, and Rugby.
• Women’s football plays on a Sunday and netball on a Saturday. So there is no clash between codes.
After consultation with the Kerikeri AFC, the Kaikohe club agreed to combine to form the Far North Women’s Football team.
Key Successes
• Both clubs were able to provide a team for their players
• The Kaikohe Club has registered 8 senior players for the first time in over 6 years
• Senior Football has been played on Lindvart Park this season for the first time in 6 years.
• There has been good interest from players interested in playing for a Kaikohe team in 2013
• The team has established a Facebook page that works successfully as a form of communication for players and supporters
• The team has a significant number of youth participant’s (9/20)
Conclusion
Support for women’s football in the Far North has grown significantly in this season alone. Next year the Kaikohe Club hopes to retain the Far North Women’s Football name. The aim is that there are two Far North Women’s football teams in 2013, one based in Kaikohe and one in Kerikeri. Enthusiasm from parents, partners, family and friends for the current players and team is very encouraging. It’s with this type of positivity and with the support of the new NFF women’s development officer that these two clubs could make this possible.
To find about more about this project, please contact Ryan Maraki on 0274 588 5867 or ryanm@sportnorth.co.nz :: back :: |
