New Zealand Football launches 'Whole of Football' plan

Football in New Zealand is set to undergo a revolution with the official launch of the sport's Whole of Football Plan.

The Whole of Football Plan is a five to 10 year strategy to attract and retain more and better players, coaches, educators, referees and volunteers by raising the quality of experiences for all involved.

While the strategy is a national plan built on international best-practice, it is New Zealand Football (NZF)âs seven member federations where the impact of the new programme will be most keenly felt by registered players and casual participants alike.

As New Zealand Football Chairman Frank van Hattum explains âthe Whole of Football plan is a national vision for the game ⦠a vision that will be realised on local parks and at local football clubs each and every weekend.

"As a sport, we aim to capitalise fully on the great opportunity we have at this moment in our history. Our success will be measured in the years to come by the quality and quantity of football being enjoyed by all participants, players, coaches, referees, other volunteers and spectators, as they see the numbers and technical skills of a new generation of players."

The annual budget for dedicated Whole of Football resources of $3.2 million, or roughly half of New Zealand Football's base budget in a non-World Cup year, illustrates just how significant an investment is being made to equipment and facilities at grassroots level.

SPARC (the New Zealand Government sport and recreation agency) have backed the plan and its impact on the sport and recreation opportunities for New Zealanders to the tune of $760,000 annually over the next three years, while NZF will balance the remainder with funds from sponsors and internal sources.

Junior footballers will be the first to see the fruits of the plan through the introduction of Fun Football Centres, Football Festivals and holiday programmes for children under 11 years of age, the First Kicks programme for 4-5 year-olds, Fun Football for 6-8 year-olds and Mini Football for 9-12 year-olds.

Teams are kept small at young ages - three-a-side for First Kicks and four-a-side for Fun Football â to give the players more time each with the ball, and more chance to develop their skills and have fun.

Based on research conducted in football associations around the world, the move to standardised small sided games is crucial to junior development and key in reducing the long term drop-out rate.

The evidence suggests long-term positive flow on effects for elite performance (All Whites and Football Ferns) as well.

A team of Federation Development Officers, trained to a national standard, will work alongside clubs to implement the new initiatives within each of the seven regional federations.

The second stage of the Whole of Football plan, encompassing players, coaches and referees at Youth level will begin in two-three years time and stage three, targeting senior football, begin in around 2016.

Find out more about the Whole of Football Plan at www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=917

Image: Ryan Nelsen in action for the All Whites.

29th March 2010 - INDOOR GAME INTEGRATES WITH NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL’S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY