First Kicks Info (4-6 yrs)
All games will be played at the A & P Showgrounds and will run from 9.00am – 10.00am every Saturday.
Address: 58 Station Road, Pukekohe Entry via Gate 7 (park in paddock; once full park on road)
CANCELLATIONS
If game day has to be cancelled due to poor weather, that decision will be made by 7:45am on Saturday mornings. There will also be notices placed on this website and our Facebook page.
You can also phone the CLUB WET WEATHER LINE: 027 483 4078. A message will be left on the phone by 7.45am on any given raining Saturday.
Please do not leave a message on this phone as it is not checked regularly.
Players are placed in a ‘Pod’ in which they will play each week over the season, mixed up with children from Drury, Pukekohe & Tuakau clubs based on their ages.
On arrival, players go straight to their PODS and line up behind the main POD flag; they will then be given bibs. They will then head off to their field (station) with their game leader to begin their first activity.
You can check what pod your child is in on the large board that will be erected by the BBQ.
Here's the Drury Pod lists for 2024: (TBC in April)
Pod 1:
Pod 2:
Pod 3:
Pod 4:
Pod 5:
Pod 6:
Parent Game-Leaders
Drury teams will have coaches appointed to lead them on game days, but we will still need parents to help out and POD Coordinators for each POD. If you are able to help please let us know. We will provide training and of course you will be placed on your child’s POD. With sufficient numbers, we will roster so that it is not the same people all the time.
PODS Playing & Training
A POD will consist of 4 playing fields (stations). Each field (station) will run an activity providing training that will meet the four corners of player development: technical/tactical, physical, mental and social/emotional.
The players rotate on a clockwise basis around the four fields. Each field (station) will have a different activity running for approximately 8-10 minutes. This will be general movement, football coordination, football technique or a small sided game. By rotation the players will experience different coaches and strengths in coaching.
Once each group has been to every field (station) they will play 2 games of continuous football. These games are intended to be free flowing with little or no stoppages ensuring speed of play, maximum involvement by the players with lots of touches on the ball. The players will then experience lots of success and above all have fun.
POD Coordinator
Each Saturday the POD coordinator (person in charge of the POD) will organise game leaders. They will also decide with the game leaders who also receive the Player of the Day certificates for the POD. Game leaders who have no children playing can be rotated to other PODS.
Identifying Clothes & Roles
POD Coordinator – wear yellow vests, are in charge of their POD and their Game Leaders, will give out Player of the Day certificates and mark attendance. Parents can go to them if a problem arises.
Game Leaders – wear orange vests and run the activity/rotation on the station.
POD Equipment
There will be a flag at each POD, with a collection of the following equipment:
- Bibs
- Game leader vests
- The Pod Coordinator vest
- All equipment needed for the four activities/rotations of the POD
- A clipboard with the following attached:
- POD list with children’s names, these are to be marked off each Saturday
- The four activity/rotation cards
- A list of equipment required for each activity/rotation
- The focus list that has been emailed out to everyone
- Four Player of the Day certificates to be handed out
POD Player Numbers
There will be approx. 24 children in each POD. By having the POD unit system, we can mix the players into 3v3 or 4v4 groups. This also allows us flexibility if children are away and we can run fewer fields on the POD at a time. For example, if only 18 children turn up then we run three fields of children, but still have the four rotations. We can also add children to PODS if necessary or if we have late registrations we can go to larger PODS of 4v4.
Each POD is responsible for the setting out the equipment for the four rotations/activities. POD coordinators and game leaders with the help of parents will set up their own POD. Everything needed for the POD – equipment, cards, instructions etc. will be at the flag for players/parents to put out. If everyone pitches in, it makes it easier for all!
When finished, all players and parents/caregivers will need to return the equipment to be stored away.
Please ask your children not to touch the equipment (especially the balls) at the flags as we will have counted out exactly what is need for the activity/rotation. We will try to have a few extra balls away from the pods for them to have a kick around while waiting.