As part of a national change to how football is delivered for our youngest players, the Under 9s grade will be moving to a hub-based format this year. This is an exciting development for the sport and one we're fully behind here at Tamai Sports.

From now on, all Under 9s football will take place at Cuthberts Green every Saturday, where players from multiple teams come together in one central location for a shared session.

What does hub-based play look like?

Each session is designed with one thing at the heart of it — the kids. The programme is all about fun, development, and creating long-lasting memories that help foster a positive connection with the sport.

Sessions will kick off with some training-based activities to get the players warmed up and focused, before moving into mini games against other teams. This format gives tamariki the chance to put their skills into practice in a fun, low-pressure environment, while also getting to meet and play alongside new faces from across the area.

We're really excited about what this format means for our Under 9s players. It's a great opportunity to be part of something bigger, enjoy the game, and build a love for football that we hope will last a lifetime.

We look forward to seeing you out at Cuthberts Green on Saturdays — come along, get involved, and let's have some fun!