Waimak United Football Club Issue Two 10th April 2020 Newsletter Waimak United Football Club is the largest football club in North Canterbury. We provide football experiences for all abilities from the ages of 4 years and over. Due to COVID-19 the season has been postponed to start Saturday 30th May for both Mainland and In-house, however we will keep you up to date if these dates change. We would like to wish everyone a happy Easter, and we look forward to seeing you all in May. A message from WUFC's FDO Adam Keizer Yesterday New Zealand Football announced that the community football postponement has been extended until at least Saturday 30th May, the Queen’s Birthday Weekend. Although it is disappointing to have further delays to the season it does not come as any surprise given the pandemic situation that continues, however hopefully there is some cause for optimism. We have had four consecutive days where the number of new COVID-19 cases have dropped and there are encouraging signs that the lockdown and measures taken has had a significant effect. We have another 10 days before a government announcement in regards to whether the lockdown will be lifted on 22nd April, or extended, which will give us a clearer picture as to how realistic the 30th May is for the start of football. If the date is achieved, the aim is to allow teams to train two weeks prior to that date, and it can’t come soon enough. In recent weeks I’ve been working through part of my distance learning tasks for the NZF B Licence course which I attended in Auckland two months ago. One of the tasks includes producing my own ‘team model’, outlining my football philosophy and the principle and structures that sit within it. Myself and a number of other coaches from across NZ who attended the course have been sharing our own personal ideas, styles and approaches within a group chat which as well as being helpful as we each look to complete the task , it’s been fascinating to see the variety of playing philosophies and beliefs. I have a clear philosophy of how I like my teams to play and confidence in how I implement this within the teams I coach, however I always look to adapt and find new ways to work to get the best out of individual players and a team collective. Simply put my current playing philosophy (for senior / youth 11 a side environment) is “An aggressive, direct attacking style of play built on intensity, confidence, speed, work rate and organisation. It also involves adopting a high press, prioritising the winning of second balls, and outworking the opposition”. This is very much inspired by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and also Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, the two elite coaches I feel most affinity with. I was lucky to spend time as a student observing Howe’s coaching sessions at Burnley FC and spent time at Borussia Dortmund on work experience during Klopps time there as Manager. Other key influences for me include former West Ham and Ipswich manager John Lyall, in terms of his man management and integrity, and in NZ the two mentors who have influenced me the most, especially when I was first starting out as a coach over 12 years ago, have been Gareth Turnbull, now at Melbourne Victory and also Waimak United Director of Football Mike De Bono. The biggest thing I have learnt from Mike has been to put your own personality into your coaching and the importance of building a positive team culture and getting to know your players and coaching staff on a personal level. I always tell young coaches ‘be yourself, don’t pretend to be something you are not or feel you have to know everything about the game, let your personality show and allow players to do the same.” One of the first conversations I had with the Chairman at Waimak United when I first took the role here, was how I wanted to ensure we did not have an aligned playing style at our club which all our teams must adhere to. This is different to some clubs who make sure all age groups are playing the same formation and applying the same philosophy, however I feel it’s more important to allow our coaches the freedom to create their own playing philosophy and a playing style that suits their own group of players. We all have different players, attributes, personalities and views on the way the game should be played. By not having an aligned playing style it means Waimak United players will experience different environments and become more adaptable as they develop. Crucial to this however is that we do have some key principles aligned within our development plan for players, something that has been embedded into our talent centre teams and will be filtered into our other teams as we progress. These key principles relate to different learning experiences we want for all our players but can be applied into any playing style, formation or philosophy used by individual coaches. I would encourage all coaches within the senior and youth spaces to think about their own preferred team model, their own influences and really think about how this is translated into weekly training sessions, matches and long term player development. Hopefully we are starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel in relation to the pandemic and the social lockdown we are all dealing with, and we can start to get back to some normality soon. In the meantime we will continue to support from home where we can and will ensure that once the season starts Waimak United are ready to go at every age group. Adam Keizer – Football Development Officer What's been happening at the Mak! TEAM ALLOCATIONS We are currently in the process of organising teams for our In-house Competition which is run on Saturday mornings at Maria Andrews. The competition caters for ages 4-10 years. If you haven't registered for the season please email Amy at waimakunited@xtra.co.nz your child's name, and grade (eg. First Kicks) to confirm you spot. Mini Football teams will be anounced early next week. First Kicks (4-6 years) WHO: An introductory program learning the FUNdamentals for players turning 4-6 years, using best practice, best coaches, and best facilities, by following the NZFootball Whole of Football Plan for First Kicks. Our recommendation is that players turning 6, and who have completed a year in First Kicks could move on to Fun Football. New Players to football should complete a season in First Kicks. Consideration should be given to technical/tactical, social/emotional, mental, and physical capabilities as the player will be playing with and against 8 year olds in Fun Football. WHEN: Saturday mornings. Session runs from 11am-12noon. 2020 season postponed start date 30th May (TBC). Fun Football (6-8 years) WHO: A program of ball discovery and learning FUNdamentals for players turning 6-8 years, using best practice, best coaches, and best facilities, by following the NZFootball Whole of Football Plan for Fun Football. If it is the players first season and they are turning 6 the best option would be the First Kicks. If the player is turning 8, and has completed a year in Fun Football they could move on to Mini Football. New players to football should complete a season in Fun Football. Consideration is given to technical/tactical, social/emotional, mental, and physical capabilities as the player will be playing with and against 10 year olds in Mini Football. WHEN: Saturday mornings- Sessions runs from 9.15am-10.30am. 2020 season postponed start date 30th May (TBC). Mini Football (8-10 years) WHO: A program developing core football skills for players turning 8-10 years, using best practice, best coaches, and best facilities, by following the NZFootball Whole of Football Plan for Mini Football run by Waimak FC and held in North Canterbury. Players turing 9 or 10 also have the option to trial for Mainland Junior teams playing in the Christchurch Leagues (including girls only). New players to football should complete a season in Mini Football. Consideration is given to technical/tactical, social/emotional, mental, and physical capabilities as the player. WHEN: Saturday Mornings- Sessions run from 9.30am-11am. Mid week trainings TBC dependent on team allocated. 2020 season postponed start date 30th May (TBC). Keeping Active During the Lockdown Period Over the coming weeks we will be posting regular videos for you to watch with activities and challenges you can try at home with the idea of keeping active during the lockdown period and practising some skills leading up to the start of the season. Fun Football Activities for 4-6 year olds: Skill challenge - The Toe Bounce: Click the link below for a tutorial and remember to send your videos to Adam at fdo.waimak@yahoo.com or via whatsapp to 021358200. NZ Football have launched a programme junior and youth footballers can do at home by themselves or with a family member. See the link below to their web page for the plan which includes NZF's 4 Corner holistic training model: Technical, Physical, Tactical and Mental. A new programme will be released each week and recommended to be completed in full to get ready for when the season commences. Click here Team of the Week! 14th Grade Boys The majority of this team have been together for the last four years. Coached by Grant Woolhouse and assisted by Wayne Lapslie, the team is one of the top three teams in the 14th grade. Last year the team competed at the South Island Tournament held in Queenstown and won the tournament! Our Goalie & His Backs Finn Whitham – the craziest kid in the team, hence why he is our keeper. Finn has won us many games in the past with his courageous goalkeeping efforts and heroics. Finn has done extras goalkeeping sessions throughout the season – this has shown through at practice and game day. Team has full confidence with him in goal. Harrison Bint – strong as ox, fast as cheetah and solid as a rock, this kid is the backbone of the spine of the team. Also, our vice-captain. Jonas Keeys – plays one of the toughest positions on the park as a holding defender, always against the “cocky strikers”. As a calm and level head that allows him to be always in the game. Good off both feet and a strong tackler. Is another one of our set piece specialists. Daniel Lough – another member of the midgets, he plays at right back and is good communicator/thinker of the game. A tough tackling player who always give 110%. Geoff Le Grelle – one of the hardiest tacklers in the team (and league) and very strong on the ball. Has made left/right back his own. Ben Simmerson – “run forest run”, for a small lad this player has a huge heart and just keeps on going. Playing on the left side of the field, his natural left foot gives us loads of options. Can overlap all day!! Aidan Van Meer – after a year off football in 2019, he has returned with vigour and enthusiasm for the game. A natural left footer plays down the left for us. Our Mids Quinn Archer – part of dynamic duo with Ollie, this player has so much time on the ball and great vision when he looks wide or takes the gap. Comfortable on both feet. Loves to get forward and score goals. Ollie Shaw – a tough hard tackling mid fielder that leaves everything out on the park each time he plays. He compliments the other mid fielders around him. Not bad as a holding back. Great at finding space down the wings. Also, a talented backup goalie. Connor Page – captain of the team, this player is technically strong, great left foot, tough tackler and fantastic striker of the ball. A quite achiever and Mr Dependable. Doesn’t get flustered on the field. Jack Little - a strong right footed lad that gets better and better every season. Strong on the ball and hits our strikers with pinpoint accuracy. Takes our set play corner kicks. Has scored some amazing long-range shots!! Josh Hardy – recently returned to Waimak after playing for his school last year, Josh has made the mid field his own. Has one of the most powerful shots in the competition and is one of our set piece specialists. Noah Woolhouse – one of the talented midgets in our team, has a football brain and technical is brilliant. Knows how to win a game for the team. Looks good with a ponytail and head band. Our Forwards Max Miller – has been a striker since day one of joining Waimak and has great technical skill/pace to beat the opposition. Not bad a right back either. Another player making great improvements each season. Rama Naidu – one of the most widely recognised players in 14th grade football, Rama towers over all other players in the grade. His natural flare and skill are a game changer. One of the best long- range shots in the game. His headers are a real threat from set piece also. Also starting to have a run-in midfield where he is impressing. Leon Dias – one of the smallest players in the grade, but has magic feet, lightening 5-yard dash and can beat most defenders with ease. Scored some amazing goals and usually leaves defenders wrong footed or on the ground. Aidan Lapslie – technically one of the better skilled players in the team, good passer of the ball and likes to create chances for his teammates. Good with both feet and has spent more time as striker last season. Can also play in midfield. 
Player of the Week! Bobby Reid This week we profile a very exciting future star at Waimak United and quite frankly one of the coolest players at the club. If you are interested in being the player of the week email Adam at fdo.waimak@yahoo.com. Sponsor of the Week- Supporting Local! We would like to take the opportunity to turn the spotlight on some special local businesses who have been helping us over the years. Please remember these wonderful businesses after the lockdown is lifted and support local when possible. MCDONALDS NORTH CANTERBURY Whilst we are in uncertain waters at present McDonalds North Canterbury is thrilled once again to be associated with Waimak United Football Club. As a locally owned and operated business it is our objective to support this great region of ours no matter what. We are committed to our local sporting teams, local events, our Schools and the Arts. We want you all to know, there's been a lot of hard work happening behind the scenes whist in lockdown, we've been planning our comeback across all three Restaurants. We look forward to serving our community/region and can't wait to be serving you all Big Mac's once again. We wish you all the very best once the season does gets started. David & Kirsty Bond 
waimakunited@xtra.co.nz fdo.waimak@yahoo.com www.waimakunited.org.nz |
