Girls Swifts Academy U9 - U15
SWIFT GIRLS ACADEMY PATHWAY
At Waterside Karori AFC we strive to provide junior girls with access to quality, fun training sessions to build their football skills. By giving them these foundational tools, we aspire for them to achieve higher levels of enjoyment within their football lives.
We aim to provide a fun, comfortable space for girls within the club to develop their football skills and foster a long-term love of the game and keep girls in sport.
We encourage all girls registered for a winter season team to join this programme to enhance team bonding and build skills to gain more enjoyment from the game.
The winter season runs from April until late August. Games for mixed junior grades run on a Saturday morning. Girls Only leagues run on a Sunday morning. For more information, click here.
SWIFTS WINTER SELECTION PROCESS
To be eligible for selection into a Swifts team, players must be registered with Waterside Karori for the Winter Season and indicate their intention to trial for a Swifts team during the registration process.
Registration with the club and submission of trial interest are both required for consideration.
Players must also attend at least one Allocation Day. If a player is trialling for both a mixed and girls only Swifts team they must attend at least one allocation day for each grade.
These sessions act as an extension of our summer programme and allow the Swifts coaching team to observe all players, including those still participating in summer sports, to ensure appropriate team placement.
Selection decisions are informed by:
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Winter training attendance and performance
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Summer training performance
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Previous winter season performance
Allocation Announcements
Selection outcomes will be communicated towards the end of February.
2027 Allocation Days
TBC
SWIFTS ACADEMY TRAINING FEE
The Swifts Academy programme is an additional offering beyond the standard Waterside Karori AFC membership. As such, all Swifts Academy participants must pay a Swifts contribution fee, in addition to the Winter Season registration fee required to play in the winter competition.
The contribution fee supports:
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A structured training programme aligned with long‑term player development principles, ensuring a safe, enjoyable and challenging football environment.
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Delivery by a qualified, professional coaching team throughout the winter season.
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Access to high‑quality facilities, including the Terawhiti Wilf Glover Artificial Turf, breakout room and bathroom amenities.
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A positive, development‑focused training environment that fosters individual growth, leadership and strong peer relationships.
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Priority entry into Wellington‑based tournaments across pre‑season, in‑season and post‑season periods.
2027 Swifts Winter Training Fees
TBC
Attendance at all training sessions is expected for Swifts players. Fee reductions will not be provided for reduced participation, nor for planned or unplanned absences.
Payments may be made in instalments across the season.
If full payment is challenging, please contact us to discuss alternative options.
SWIFTS WINTER TRAINING
All Swifts girls players are required to train on Tuesdays at Girls Academy session.
Team trainings occur or Thursday or Friday. See below for the timetable.
Non‑Swifts players are welcome to register for these sessions as an additional training opportunity with our Academy and Club Coaches. See here for more detail.
TRAINING GEAR
All players are expected to wear the Swifts training kit to all Swifts trainings. The kit is made up of a black top with the Swifts logo on the chest, black shorts and black socks.
Kit can be purchased online from Inter Football here.
We have a training kit for the programme for a number of reasons:
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it provides consistency and builds a sense of team on the training field and between squads
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it sets the scene - players are expected to behave and train according to the Swifts values and rules whenever wearing the kit
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it makes it easier for coaches to create clearly identifiable teams within training sessions (vs mixed colours)
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it provides an alternative playing strip if one is required
Training Schedule 2026
U9 - U11
Tuesdays and
Fridays - 4pm - Terawhiti Turf
U13
Tues at 4pm and
Fri at 5pm
U15
Tuesdays at 6pm and
Thursdays at 6pm at Te Whaea
There are no trainings over school holidays or on public holidays.
GIRLS ACADEMY NON-SWIFTS TRAINING PROGRAMME
Our Tuesday Girls Academy Training sessions are open to our non-Swifts teams.
2026 - Term 3 Programme
Date: Tuesday 21 July- Tuesday 15 September (9 week Programme)
Fee: $135
SWIFTS SUMMER TRAINING
Swifts Trainings are provided over the summer Term 4 and Term 1 to provide all players with the opportunity to continue developing their skills over the summer months.
Our highly qualified and knowledgeable coaching team will support you to build confidence with your football, leadership and teamwork skills, through a series of carefully designed training activities.
We take an age appropriate, holistic approach to training, aiming to create a safe, challenging and enjoyable football environment for you to get the most out of your time with us.
2026 - Term 4 Summer Training Programme
Dates: Tuesday 13 October - Tuesday 8 December
Schedule:
U9 - U11: 4pm
U13s: 5pm
Location: Terawhiti Turf
Cost: $135 (9 weeks)
Eligibility
No prior participation in the Swifts Academy or Waterside Karori AFC teams is necessary and all players regardless of previous club, school or experience level and welcome.
Gear
We encourage all players to bring the following items for your training session;
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Swifts training kit or black shirt and shorts
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Football boots
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Shinpads
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Water bottle
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Medical supplies
Note: Swifts training kit is optional for summer programmes but mandatory for Winter training programmes