A collaborative initiative in South Auckland is breaking down barriers to sport by bringing young girls together on the football pitch. Through the newly formed South Auckland Girls Cluster, neighbouring clubs Papakura City FC and Clendon United FC have joined forces to create a safe, accessible, and supportive environment for junior players in the U8 and U9 age groups. 

Connected by Northern Region Football (NRF) Thriving Communities Officer Mahalia O’Connor, the cluster is just one part of a joint project by NRF, New Zealand Football, and the New Zealand Football Foundation. The Thriving Communities project was created specifically to help clubs deepen connections with their communities, remove barriers to play, and build long-term club capability. 

"The partnership allows us to connect community groups and participants with their local football clubs so we're able to bring in participants, break down barriers, and allow them to participate in football," says Mahalia. "For a lot of them, this was their first entry into the sport. Because of the positive experience, we hope they continue to play." 

The Friday night hub gave local girls a welcoming, low-pressure space to give football a go, allowing families to connect with the game right in their own backyard. 

For Clendon United FC, this vision has been building for a couple of years. Lead Coach Rebecca sat down with Mahalia to share an ambition for her local community. 

"Mahalia and I sat down and had coffee a couple of years ago, and I pitched this dream that I wanted to coach football in my own neighbourhood in Randwick Park," Rebecca shared. "She helped connect me to a local club and then said, 'What do you need?' and was able to provide support over and over and over again. It's just been an amazing journey." 

At the same time, Papakura City FC was eager to get a dedicated girls' league underway. With the alignment towards New Zealand Football's Whole of Football Framework 2.0, Papakura identified a clear need to establish local opportunities specifically tailored for junior girls. Partnering with Clendon presented a perfect opportunity creating a new initiative that allowed more girls to play locally while eliminating practical barriers like long travel times across the region. 

The impact on local families was immediate and deeply felt. 

"On Friday nights, when we come to the soccer field, for our girls, it's more than just a sport," shared one local parent. "The community that Clendon gives our girls is that everyone's whānau. We all help look after one another." shared another.  

A huge thank you to Papakura City FC and Clendon United FC, whose leadership, local passion, and commitment to collaboration drove the success of the Friday night cluster. 

At its core, the Thriving Communities approach places local relationships at the heart of the project. By working together with clubs and grassroots leaders, the initiative turns local ideas into tangible opportunities for players and families to get involved. It ensures those on the ground are fully supported while helping clubs build the tools and culture needed to serve their communities for years to come. 

Interested in getting involved with South Auckland Girls cluster? Reach out to Mahalia on Mahalia.OConnor@nrf.org.nz 

Article added: Tuesday 29 September 2026