Love Their Game

Love Their Game

We are proud to support Love Their Game, an initiative led by Northern Region Football (NRF), focused on creating positive environments for young players across Aotearoa.

At its core, Love Their Game is about putting children first — ensuring that sport remains a fun, safe, and rewarding experience where players can develop confidence, skills, and a lifelong love of the game.

Why It Matters

Research highlighted by Northern Region Football shows that many young people stop playing sport earlier than they should. A key reason isn’t the game itself — it’s the environment around it. Sideline behaviour, pressure to win, and negative experiences can all impact a child’s enjoyment and willingness to continue.

Love Their Game exists to change that.

The Focus

The initiative encourages all adults involved in the game — parents, coaches, and supporters — to reflect on the role they play in shaping a child’s sporting experience.

It promotes:

• Positive encouragement over criticism
• Effort and enjoyment over results
• Respect for players, referees, and coaches
• Creating a safe and inclusive environment for all

Our Role

As a club, we are committed to aligning with the values of Love Their Game. This means actively promoting positive sideline behaviour and supporting our players to enjoy their football journey without unnecessary pressure.

We believe that when the environment is right, players stay in the game longer, develop better, and build stronger connections with their teammates and community.

Learn More

To explore more about the initiative and how you can support it, visit:
Love Their Game

Together, we can create an environment where every player feels supported, valued, and excited to play.