F.A.Q and Links

Frequently Asked Questions / Links

Q. Is the training on courts or grass?

A. We train on both and have access to high quality surfaces across the course of the year to meet the needs of our particular programs.

Q. Are you a club?

A. No. There are already 16 clubs within South Auckland. We are the only specialist coaching school dedicated to lifting the standard of football for players within the greater Counties/Franklin region.

Q. Are you in competition to AFF or the local clubs?

A. Not at all. We have assisted 9 clubs thus far in terms of raising the standards of players and coaches with our programs and work closely with AFF, NZF and local clubs to ensure that kids have access to opportunities that are appropriate to their age and abilities. It is not a part of our plan to raise rival competitions to that run by the Federation.

Q. Can my child become a rep player through SAFCA?

A. SAFCA has the network to provide a pathway for those players who wish to take their game to whatever level they would like to.

Q. If I train with you can I still play with my club team?

A. Absolutely. We encourage you to be hooked into a local club and to play for an appropriate team in terms of age or skill level. We work hard to provide session times which should not conflict with what your club offers.

Q.  My child is only little. Will they have to play against bigger kids?

A. One of the reasons why SAFCA's kids accelerate their growth is due to the training environment we facilitate. All training is conducted according to the players' ability, their physical maturity and lastly their age. If they don't wish to test themselves against older, bigger players, there is no pressure to have to.

Q. Why do you train on concrete? Won't kids get hurt?

A. Training and playing on concrete is much faster than grass which means that players need to adapt to a much quicker game. Their reactions, responses, thought patterns, decision making all has to be significantly faster to deal with the surface. When they go back to playing on grass, they always find that the game is slower meaning that they have more time, more space and execute play much faster and to a higher standard than kids who just train on grass. Whilst kids can slip over, the court surfaces teach them not to dive and helps them keep their balance more efficiently than just using a grassed surface. Our safety record is exemplary and although occasional knocks happen, surprisingly we have less serious injuries than many clubs who solely use grass.

Q. Why do you teach juggling when that isn't really a part of playing the game?

A. Mastering touch and confidence on the ball is most effectively found through manipulating the ball. It's also amazing fun and is quite often the difference between the good players and the best players, particularly at the highest levels of the game where a moment of magic can be created using a deft flick.

Q. Who have your coaches played for and to what level?

A. Our senior coaches have all either played representative football or 1st team top level domestically. Whllst none of us have played for Chelsea neither has Villa-Boas who has never actually kicked a ball in anger as a player at any level. Top level players do not necessarily make for top level coaches and whilst the coaches can all play, it is not our history as players which should determine whether or not your child trains with us but rather the environment we facilitate and the outcomes we achieve with players. We are heavily invested into becoming the best coaches regionally and are recognised by NZF as such.

For more information please contact us