Juniors (U12 – U18)

Juniors (U12 – U18) 2026

 

Who is it for?

Junior soccer encompasses the age groups of U12 through to U18. U12’s is the last age that girls have a choice of playing either mixed or girl’s only football. From U13’s all girls must play girl’s only football.

 

What is the Format?

From U12’s football is played on a full-size field with full FIFA rules applying including offsides. The only dispensation is that for U12’s and U13’s only, shortened corners and modified goal kicks are in play. Teams play for competition points with results recorded and competition ladders published each week. Playing times are as follows:-

• U12 / W12 – 25 mins each half
• U13 / W13 – 30 mins each half
• U14 / W14 – 30 mins each half
• U15 / W15 – 35 mins each half
• U16 / W16 – 35 mins each half
• U18 / W18 – 45 mins each half

 

Dates & Venues

Note that a change for the 2026 season is that both boys and Girls U18 games will now be played on Saturdays whilst both boys and girls U21 games will now be played on Sundays

Junior games (up to U18’s) are played on Saturdays commencing with Round 1 on Saturday 28th March 2026 and running for 18 weeks (weather permitting). Games are scheduled for every weekend including through the school holidays apart from Easter weekend when there are no games on Saturday 4th April 2026. Note also that this year Anzac Day is on Saturday 25th April 2026. There will be no games this day however there will be a ‘catch-up’ game to make up for this lost game on Monday 8th June 2026 – the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Pre-season Trial games are also being organised for the weekends of 14th/15th and 21st/22nd March 2026. Further details to follow in due course.

Games are played on an alternate weekly home and away basis with home games played at Buckle Reserve, Menai or Casuarina Oval, Alfords Point. Away games are played throughout the Sutherland Shire.

The season concludes on Saturday 1st August 2026 whereby the top 4 teams on the competition ladder progress to a three-week finals series.

 

Most teams train once per week on a weekday evening. The day, timing and location of this training is mutually agreed between the parents and Coach once the team is formed. We have 3 possible fields available for training – Buckle Reserve Menai, Casuarina Oval Alfords Point and also Coachwood Oval Alfords Point. Note that some of our highest graded teams may train on 2 evenings per week

Regardless of whether through to the finals series or not a junior presentation end-of-season party is planned for Sunday 13th September 2026 at Buckle Reserve. We will celebrate the season, present trophies and awards, be together as a 2026 group for one final time and above all have some fun!

 

 

How do I Register

xxx PLEASE NOTE 2026 REGISTRATIONS WILL OPEN ON SATURDAY 3RD JANUARY 2026 xxx

For Juniors registration click here and follow the instructions.

If you are using an ‘Active Kids Voucher’ (see next question) to reduce the cost of your registration then please obtain this first as you will be required to enter the voucher number during registration to receive your discount.

To assist families with the cost of playing football, family discount is available where more than one family member from the same household is registered to play with Menai Hawks. Please refer to our Family Discount page for details on how to obtain your voucher for this discount. Again please make sure you have obtained your voucher first as you will be required to enter the voucher number during registration to receive your discount.

If you are new to playing club football in the Sutherland Shire you will also need to provide us with the following documentation to finalise your registration:-

• Proof of age – birth certificate or passport
• Proof of residency in Sutherland Shire – parent’s driver’s licence, council rates bill or bank statement showing name and home address in the Sutherland Shire.

Digital driver’s licenses ARE acceptable.

Children, living outside the Sutherland Shire, can also qualify to play football with us if they currently attend school within the Sutherland Shire. Please obtain a signed and dated letter from the school office stating that the child is a current student at the school and bring the original copy of the letter to us. All the local schools are used to doing this for us.

Note documents need to be originals and need to be physically shown to us in person. This can be done by attending any of the following registration assistance days at Buckle Reserve:-

• 12:00 – 16:00 Saturday 17th January 2026
• 12:00 – 16:00 Sunday 18th January 2026
• 12:00 – 16:00 Saturday 24th January 2026
• 12:00 – 16:00 Sunday 25th January 2026
• 10:00 – 16:00 Saturday 31st January 2026
• 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday 1st February 2026

If you have missed these dates please contact Club Secretary Alan Phillips on 0428 904 907 or via email at info@menaihawks.org.au to arrange an alternative viewing.

 

What is the registration fee and what does it include?

Please bear in mind that included in your 2026 fees are:-

• All FFA, FNSW and SSFA registration fees
• Player and Public Liability Insurance coverage
• Referee fees and match costs
• Ground upkeep, pitch watering and lighting costs
• Equipment and specialised training costs
• The loan of a Menai Hawks playing jersey for the season – we are one of the few remaining clubs that don’t require you to buy your own shirt in addition to your registration fees!
• A $25 fundraising levy (included in the below fees) – we once again will not be asking you to work in the canteen or on the BBQ this season

 

Age Group	EARLY BIRD Rego by Sun 8th Feb 2026	Rego from Mon 9th Feb 2026
U12 / W12	$230	$280
U13 / W13	$230	$280
U14 / W14	$230	$280
U15 / W15	$245	$295
U16 / W16	$245	$295
U18 / W18	$260	$310

Note that school-enrolled children may be eligible for the NSW Government’s $50 Active Kids Rebate Voucher Scheme. See our ‘Active Kids Voucher Scheme’ section for more details. The voucher details can be entered during online registration to receive your discount. Family Discount is also available where more than one family member residing at the same address registers with Menai Hawks

 

How do I get a uniform?

Exciting news!! – Menai Hawks is introducing new shorts for the 2026 season and ALL registered players will receive a free pair

New players to Menai Hawks also receive free socks too. Both shorts and socks are available from the uniform shop at Buckle Reserve.  The uniform shop is open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the season as well as on registration, grading and trial game days before the season starts. For existing players, having previously received free socks, replacement ones are available to purchase.

For all players, your registration fee includes the loan of a Menai Hawks playing shirt for the season. These are available from your team manager shortly before the season commences and should be returned to the club via your team manager at the end of the season.

 

When is grading?

Prior to the season starting we hold grading days and all players are requested to attend. The ideal objective is to place children into a team with players at a similar skill level to themselves.

Our grading policy was updated in 2020 and is based on a philosophy where we aim to appropriately grade players so they have the potential to:-

• Enjoy their soccer
• Develop their skill and ability
• Play with team members of similar skill and ability
• Perform competitively in relative age / grade.

Please refer to our grading policy found here.

2026 grading dates/times are as follows:-

(Note where there are 2 dates listed for your age group you are requested to attend both sessions)

Age Group	Session 1	Session 2
U12 / W12	Sat 7th Feb 16:30 – 18:00	Sat 14th Feb 16:30 – 18:00
U13	Sun 8th Feb 13:00 – 14:30	Sun 15th Feb 13:00 – 14:30
U14	Sun 8th Feb 14:30 – 16:00	Sun 15th Feb 14:30 – 16:00
U15 / U16	Sun 8th Feb 16:00 – 17:30	Sun 15th Feb 16:00 – 17:30
W13/W14/W15/W16	Sat 7th Feb 12:30 – 13:30	Sat 14th Feb 12:30 – 13:30
U18 / U21	Sat 7th Feb 11:30 – 12:30	Sat 14th Feb 11:30 – 12:30
W18 / W21	-N/A-	Sat 14th Feb 10:30 – 11:30

All sessions are held at Buckle Reserve, Menai.

Please note players must be registered to participate in grading

All players must wear football boots and shinpads and bring a bottle of water. Any shirt/shorts/socks may be worn. Bibs will be provided.

Please arrive 10/15 minutes early and check in at the desk. Players will be marked off the roll and assigned a player number identified by a wristband

In the event of inclement weather please refer to our Facebook page for guidance

 

How can I get involved?

Menai Hawks is run entirely by volunteers. Each team needs a Coach to help the players develop their skills and a Manager to ensure everyone knows when and where games and training are. Without these roles filled there will be no team. The roles are really rewarding. Please consider whether you could fill one of these roles and if so please let us know on grading day or via email at info@menaihawks.org.au

 

Who can I contact with questions?

Club Secretary and Registrar Alan Phillips on 0428 904 907 or via email at info@menaihawks.org.au