OUR FOOTBALL SCHOOL
Football more than just Community
WELCOME TO FOOTYBUGS
FootyBugs is a grassroots football school dedicated to developing confident, creative and technically skilled young footballers.
Operating throughout the summer months from October to April, we provide boys and girls aged 7-12 years with a positive, challenging and enjoyable learning environment where players of all abilities are encouraged to express themselves, build confidence and develop their love for the game.
Our coaching philosophy puts individual player development at the heart of every training session. We believe that developing strong technical foundations, confidence on the ball and an understanding of the game gives young players the tools they need to continue progressing throughout their football journey.
Our training is built around our Four Pillars of Player Development:
⚽ Technical Development
Develop the fundamental techniques of football including dribbling, first touch, passing, receiving, turning, ball striking and finishing.
👣 Ball Mastery
Build confidence and control using both feet, developing players who are comfortable in possession and creative with the ball.
🔥 1v1 Dominance
Develop the confidence and ability to beat opponents, protect possession, attack with purpose and defend effectively in one-on-one situations.
⚡ Agility & Coordination
Improve balance, footwork, coordination, movement, speed and reaction ability to support performance both with and without the ball.
Throughout our training sessions, players are given plenty of opportunities to practise, experiment and apply what they learn through rondos, positional activities, transition games and small-sided football.
Beyond football, we aim to help children develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, respect and social skills within a structured, caring and safe environment.
TWO PATHWAYS. ONE DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY.
Every player develops differently, and not every family is looking for the same football experience.
That's why our Junior Academy provides different opportunities for players to develop while following the same FootyBugs coaching philosophy.
JUNIOR ACADEMY SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Individual Player Development in a Group Environment
Our Junior Academy Skill Development Programme is for players who want additional technical development without the commitment of joining a FootyBugs team to play in the Summer City League.
Training focuses on our Four Pillars, providing players with plenty of touches on the ball, quality repetition, individual coaching and opportunities to apply their skills within an enjoyable group environment.
It is ideal for players who already play club football and want additional development, as well as children who simply want to improve their football skills without committing to regular weekend competition.
Training groups, ages, dates and times are arranged based on player interest and demand.
👉 Interested? Enquire now to register your interest.
FOOTYBUGS JUNIOR ACADEMY & CITY LEAGUE
Elevate your Game
For players looking for the complete training and team experience, our FootyBugs Junior Academy combines individual player development with the opportunity to train and represent FootyBugs in the Summer Junior Football City League.
Players train together throughout the summer season and represent FootyBugs in our U8, U10 and U12 teams, putting the skills developed during training into practice in competitive match situations.
While developing the individual remains at the heart of our philosophy, football is ultimately a game of decisions, relationships and teamwork.
That's why we also teach players to understand Position Play and Principles of Play - including creating and using space, providing support, recognising passing options, movement off the ball, transitions and understanding their relationship with teammates and opponents.
These principles are introduced progressively through rondos, positional activities, transition games and small-sided games, where players are encouraged to observe, think, make decisions and find effective solutions for themselves.
Even young players can begin developing these habits. As their technical ability and understanding of the game grow, these foundations help them become more intelligent, confident and effective footballers.
Develop the individual. Understand the game. Play as a team.
👉 Learn More About the Junior Academy
OUR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY
At FootyBugs, we don't believe young players should simply be told where to stand or what to do.
We want players to understand the game, recognise situations, make decisions and have the confidence to express themselves.
✔️ Technical ability gives players the tools to execute.
✔️ Ball Mastery gives them confidence in possession.
✔️ 1v1 ability gives them the courage to create and compete.
✔️ Agility and Coordination give them the physical foundations to perform.
✔️ And game-based learning teaches them when, where and why to use those skills.
Together, these elements help us develop players who are not only more technically capable, but also more creative, confident and intelligent on the football pitch.
FAQ
Can my child join the Junior Academy Skill Development Programme without playing in a FootyBugs City League team?
Absolutely. The Junior Academy Skill Development Programme is specifically designed for players who want individual technical development within a group environment without the commitment of joining a FootyBugs City League team. It can complement your child's existing club football or simply provide an opportunity to develop and enjoy football without regular weekend competition.
What is the difference between Junior Academy Skill Development and the Junior Academy City League programme?
Both programmes follow the same FootyBugs Four Pillars of Player Development and coaching philosophy. The Junior Academy Skill Development Programme focuses on individual player development within a group training environment without City League participation. The Junior Academy City League Programme combines our player-development training with regular team training, match-day coaching and representing FootyBugs in the Summer Junior Football City League. The main difference is therefore not how we develop players, but the level of team and competition commitment families are looking for.
Can my child join FootyBugs if they already play for a football club?
Yes. FootyBugs is designed to complement - not replace - club football. Our summer programmes operate primarily outside the traditional winter club football season, while our player-development training provides additional technical repetition, individual coaching and development opportunities that can complement a player's club environment.
Which programme is right for my child?
If your child wants to develop their individual football skills without committing to a City League team, our Junior Academy Skill Development Programme is the best starting point. If they want the complete experience of training, developing and representing FootyBugs in regular Summer City League matches, our Junior Academy City League Programme is the better option. Whichever pathway they choose, they'll be supported by the same FootyBugs player-development philosophy and positive coaching environment.
OUR MISSION
Developing Players. Building Confidence. Creating a Love for the Game.
Our mission is to make high-quality football development accessible to every child, regardless of their ability or where they are on their football journey.
We provide a positive, challenging and enjoyable learning environment where young players can develop their technical ability, understand the game and have the freedom and confidence to express themselves.
But developing better footballers is only part of what we do.
Through football, we aim to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, respect, determination and sportsmanship, while encouraging children to enjoy being active, embrace challenges and develop a lifelong love for the game.
Above all, we want every player to enjoy football, believe in their ability and leave FootyBugs a better and more confident player than when they arrived.
FOOTYBUGS AND
NZ FOOTBALL CURRICULUM
For the gradual progressive development of the children or junior player FootyBugs children’s grassroots football school emphasis on concepts of NZ Football Four Corner Model which is fundamental to their enjoyment, competency, and retention in the game long term.
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Technical / Tactical: Focusing on NZF’s 4 attacking core skills like striking the ball, 1v1, Receiving the ball, Running with Ball and for Goalkeeper handling as well as developing children understanding of the game like: Analysing Individuals, Teams and Kiwi Strength.
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Physical: Focusing on the physical development of players through warm-ups and conditioning.
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Mental: Focusing on the mental development of players such as mental agility.
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Social Emotional: Focusing on the individual development of players through playful activities centred on individual development while in a group environment and having as much time using the ball as possible; encourage the individual to explore.
NZ Football defines the objective of every football game is to win. To win a game, a team needs to be able to score goals and prevent goals. To score goals a team must be able to get the ball and a player in a goal scoring position and likewise to prevent goals the team must limit the opponent from getting the ball and a player in a goal scoring position. These are the objective facts of football which also has a clear structure that is called the Four Main Moments.
The Four Main Moments and its key principles are:
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Attacking: Controlled and incisive possession, Combination play, Individual play
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Transition to Defend: Press the ball immediately, Prevent forward passing, Quickly into defending position
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Defending: Win the ball back as close to the opponent’s goal as possible, Deny time and space, Limit goal scoring opportunities
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Transition to Attack: Quick forward passing and movement, Quickly into attacking position