Youth Programme U14 - U17
Registrations to trial for our CDL teams are open
PLAY FOR KARORI
Youth players in the U14 to U17 grades are invited to trial for one of our Talent Development Programme (TDP) teams. These teams compete in the Regional and Capital Development Leagues, giving players the chance to experience stronger competition and a more advanced level of football.
All selected players join our Swifts Academy, which provides high‑quality, engaging, and challenging training in a consistent environment. The programme is delivered by the club’s full‑time professional coaching staff. Being part of the Academy involves a higher level of commitment and maintaining a strong standard of behaviour.
You can find more information about the Youth Swifts Academy, including training schedules and fees, on our website.
Players who choose not to trial, or who are not selected, usually join our social teams. At this stage, we are forecasting that we may not have social teams available next season due to low number.
GAMES
From U14 upwards, games are 11-a-side (including a goalkeeper). Teams usually have 14 players, allowing for three substitutes.
Teams play one 60 minute (U14s) / 70 minute (U15s) / 90 minute (U17s) game each Sunday, with the occasional game during the week.
The time and location for each week’s game is determined by a draw published by Capital Football, which can be found here.
Our Swifts teams play in competitive Regional and CDL leagues. Social Waterside Karori teams play in the “Wellington/Western Zone Combined Leagues”.
Swifts teams will be run by our club coaching staff, with support from parent managers and other volunteers.
2027 Season Key information
Registrations to trial are open!
2027 Season: Early May to end of August
Club Registration Fee: $190
Football runs on the first and last weekend of the school holidays, but we take a break for Easter weekend and the middle weekend of the holidays.
Promotion to senior football
Our U15 Girls and U17 Boys teams feed directly into our senior reserve and third teams and men's and women's first teams, providing the opportunity for youth players to extend themselves and accelerate their playing career. A consistent training environment across our youth and senior environments ensures players transition from junior to youth to senior football seamlessly.
Our first team coaches work closely with our Youth Director of Football throughout the season. Players may be invited to join senior trainings, and then to play, by the coaching team throughout the season.