First Kicks (4 - 6yrs)

FC Nelson First Kicks

Welcome all to the 2025 season. We are excited to get some of our youngest members started on their football journey through FC Nelson. 

This programme is part of NZ Football's Whole of Football Framework and is designed to assist players aged 5-6yrs to develop the basic football skills through direct coaching, fun, practice and games -  guided first steps into the beautiful world of football. 

Early engagement into the game should be encouraged. This initiation phase allows players to discover the game, provides for learning basic fundamental movement skills and creates positive football experiences.


DATES: Saturday 3rd May - Saturday 23rd August

TIME:  9.00am sharp - 10.00am

Kings birthday weekend - ON

Matariki weekend - ON

School holidays: NO play on July 5th & 12th (back again on July 19th).

So basically ON apart from two weeks in the holidays (middle and last weekend off).


Please provide your child with 

  • Shinpads

  • Socks, shorts

  • boots

  • waterbottle

They will be provided with a FC Nelson playing shirt for the games but they need to be returned at the end of each session.  An undergarment is advised. 


First Kicks Guidelines

  • Non-competitive short games

  • Adults and children work together informally to meet the personal/emotional needs of the youngsters

  • Lots of chances to enjoy mini challenges

  • Encourage participation in a variety of additional activities to develop physical literacy (e.g. running, jumping, throwing, etc)

  • Parents and game leaders bring out the fun of football through guiding and supporting their children to understand the basic rules of first kicks football

All players will do little combined warm up games first then some very easy football drills and skills.  Then everyone will play small football games at the end of the session.

Parents are welcome to be on the pitch with their child helping, but try to step back when you can, provide encouragement from the sideline.  


  • Social & Emotional – lots of interaction, enjoyment

  • Technical & Tactical – lots of touches, 1v1s, attacking & defending

  • Physical – develop Functional Movement Patterns, more active

  • Mental – lots of opportunities for success and for decision making


Coaches and Managers

Like all club activities we are reliant on parents to help run the Saturday morning programme. A Co-Ordinator will run the sessions and will have training and coaching plans but will require parents to help with organising activities and assisting with games.

Like everything with children this age, the more parents contribute in the sessions by encouraging and supporting the co-ordinator and players, the more the children will benefit. Please give consideration to whether you can take on one of these roles.


If you have any questions please contact our FDO, Manuel - manuel@fcnelson.co.nz