WHOLE OF FOOTBALL 2.0

What is the NZF Whole of Football (WOF) Framework?

New Zealand Football has unveiled its updated Whole of Football Framework 2.0, evolving the way football and futsal are delivered to the more than 176,000 players who take part in Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest team participation sport. 

To support the introduction, McDonald’s, community football’s biggest supporter in Aotearoa New Zealand, will contribute close to $500,000 worth of new goals to clubs across the country, enabling more players to take part in the game.

Click below to find updated resources that will support federations and clubs to roll out the changes

Why are we updating the Whole of Football Framework?

Following a three-year period of analysis, Whole of Football 2.0 has been introduced to further evolve how the game is delivered. 

Among the changes are updated game formats and structures designed to foster a lifelong love of football and prioritise skill development from an early age. 

Research shows that playing smaller formats of the game for longer significantly increases involvement in the game and touches on the ball for players which accelerates skill development, and better prepares participants for the transition to 11 vs 11 football a year later at the U14 age group. 

New Zealand Football’s own research, based on piloting the framework, shows that by going through the new Whole of Football 2.0 player pathway, players on average will accumulate over 3,800 more touches of the ball with goalkeepers more involved in the game, accumulating over 1,300 more goalkeeper actions. 

What are the changes?

As part of the changes, the following playing formats will be introduced for female and mixed teams

*this format is played to small goals without goalkeepers
** this format is played to a larger goal with goalkeepers
*** this format should be utilised in areas of low player population (girls only/regional NZ) to support competition growth

In addition to changes to playing formats, updates have also been made to coaching and refereeing pathways

​​​​​​​Changes in the coach and referee development pathways center around, removing duplication, providing more learning for those operating in the junior space, aligning learning outcomes across football and futsal, and continuing to develop digital tools to connect and engage with our volunteers, coaches and referees. A specific focus on attracting and supporting females through the provision of female only coach and referee courses/pathways should be a priority to ensure the gap between male and female leaders in the game is reduced. 

Player development programmes, quality of coaching and quality of officiating are all identified in Sport NZ’s Voice of Participant survey as key drivers that impact player experience. It is vital that we improve our coach and referee development systems to better support the education of the coach and referee community to have positive impacts on our playing participants. 

When are the changes coming into effect in the Central Federation?

2026

- WHANGANUI 

  • Full rollout of new WOF 2.0 formats and field sizes for all junior football up to and including 13th Grade

- HAWKE'S BAY

  • Full rollout of new WOF 2.0 formats and field sizes for all junior football up to and including 13th Grade

2027

- TAIRĀWHITI GISBORNE / TARANAKI / MANAWATU

  • Full rollout of new WOF 2.0 formats and field sizes for all junior football from 2027
  • No changes to junior football playing formats in 2026

Why 2027 for three regions?

Central Football have several differences across our regions and one of the most challenging is the green space we have available for junior football. For example, in Whanganui all junior formats are run from Wembley Park whilst in Hawkes Bay they are run from Frimley Park (Hastings) and Park Island (Napier). This allows us more scope to introduce the changes across the venues in those regions as opposed to the other regions where junior football is delivered at multiple venues, or in Gisborne where it is run via primary schools. We have therefore decided that our best approach in terms of implementing the changes is as advised above. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Each region will have WOF 2.0 updates in more detail at end of season club meetings

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's):


What happens to dual age bands (e.g. U11/U12 that currently plays 9v9 but now plays 7v7 and 9v9 respectively) with the updated guidance? ​​​​​​​

These will change to single age band where appropriate or alter dual age banding to align with the new format progression, i.e.U10/U11 would be 7v7 and U12/U13 would be 9v9.


Who’s responsible for the cost of goals needed for the change in formats? 

There will be centralised funding support from NZF and partners that will be distributed through our federations. Central Football will purchase goals necessary to implement WOF 2.0 rollout across our regions. 


Will the retreating line be a part of the regs for U13’s? 

Yes, the retreating line will now extend to include the U13 age group to prepare players for the current goal kick rules in the 11v11 game. 


What does this mean for the Central Development League (CDL) programmes? 

Central Football will advise any changes to CDL formats following the 2025 competition review.


Who is the main contact for WOF 2.0 at Central Football?

The WOF 2.0 project lead for Central Football is Community Engagement Manager - Shane McKenzie shanem@centralfootball.co.nz