Papakura Football are doing things the Tū Manawa way

Papakura Football are doing things the Tū Manawa way and finding innovative ways to engage rangatahi and tamariki in Papakura. In the rangatahi space, the club has been working alongside Papakura High School for the last two years to strengthen football at the school as well as provide greater school club links. They have had enormous success with the programmes they have been running especially in the girl’s football space. When they first got involved, in 2018 the girls had a team that didn’t have a coach and they struggled on game days for numbers, sometimes playing with 9 or 10.

Fast forward to 2020 and 19 Girls registered for the First XI of those 1 was playing structured football,1 hadn't played football since she was 10 and 17 wahine were new to the sport. This year has seen 3 girls move into structured football at the club on a Saturday. The club has also organised a futsal competition at Papakura High School between local schools that had over 100 rangatahi participating.   

As a result of their efforts practices are now well attended and often friends of the players come along and join in the training. On game days, there is always a full team with subs ready to play. Building relationship between a school and club takes time but the result of this club doing this mahi is showing in the football participation across the school and club. The club is excited about the opportunity to grow on this relationship. Futsal sessions have been popular with the students and the club is looking to create a competitive model for those who missed School sports.  

“Papakura High School, congratulations on putting together an amazing bunch of young women, who have absolutely harnessed the opportunity, and in my opinion captured all things Community, Fun Play and Recreation.”  Quote Papakura City Football Club

In the Tamariki space, the Intro to Football for girls program is producing amazing results in engaging young females into the sport of football.

Papakura Football has had some awesome female coaches step up to run this programme. In the words of the club “Eilidgh ,Sarah, Brenna, you bring the patience of saints, and you are the people other organizations envy. This only happens with support, Thanks to CLM for ensuring these kids get the opportunity to find a sport they enjoy, which I have to say, pairs ever so nicely with joint Football Federation and Youthtown Effort in ensuring there is a transition from Fun to Play, and everything in between.”

As a result of this programme Papakura City now has 6 girls grade teams competing (one Mixed) , giving a combined total of 70 girls and climbing from 9 -16yrs old, well up on its average of 25.  This project is all about a club doing things differently, taking the time to connect with the local community and build relationships, listening and making sure they understand the needs of girls in Papakura, finding coaches who have “the biggest hearts” and creating a programme that is based on the needs of the participants.  

Proudly supported by

CLM, Tu Manawa Active Aotearoa, Papakura City FC, Papakura High School