GIRLS & WOMENS FOOTBALL

Our Vision:

To grow and empower girls’ and women’s football in our community by creating inclusive opportunities, strong development pathways, and positive experiences that inspire more girls and women to participate and thrive in the game.

At Nomads United AFC, we are committed to helping grow the girls’ and women’s game locally and contributing to the long-term growth of the female game across New Zealand.

Currently, girls and women make up approximately 10% of football participation in Canterbury. We believe there is enormous potential to grow this number by creating welcoming environments, clear pathways, and high-quality experiences for female players of all ages and abilities.

Our ambition is to help build a thriving girls’ and women’s football community, where players feel empowered through sport, develop lifelong friendships, and have the opportunity to pursue their football journey at any level they aspire to.

Football can be a powerful tool for building confidence, resilience, leadership and belonging, and we are proud to play a role in supporting the next generation of young wāhine in our community.

Our Mission:

Nomads United AFC is dedicated to providing positive, inclusive and accessible opportunities for girls and women in football — from their very first experience with the game through to youth and senior competitive pathways.

We aim to create environments where female players feel safe, supported, valued and inspired to participate.

Our mission is to:

• Grow participation in girls’ and women’s football within our community.
• Provide a clear and supportive player development pathway.
• Empower girls and women through sport by building confidence, resilience and leadership.
• Foster lifelong friendships and a strong sense of belonging through football.
• Create opportunities not only for players, but also for female coaches, referees, leaders and volunteers.

Whether you are picking up a ball for the first time, returning to football, or looking to contribute to the game in another role — there is a place for you in football at Nomads United AFC.

Our Girls & Women's Football Pathway:

Nomads United AFC provides a complete football pathway for girls, allowing players to enter the game at any stage and progress through age-appropriate programmes and competitions.

Our pathway focuses on participation, enjoyment, development and progression, ensuring every player has the opportunity to grow within the game.

Introduction to Football (Ages 4–12)

Milo Fantails – Girls Only Programme

Our Milo Fantails programme is a girls-only football initiative running across all four terms of the year for players aged 4–12 years.

Fantails is about much more than learning football skills — it focuses on developing confidence, friendships and positive values through sport.

Through the programme, our young wāhine will:

• Make new friends and build confidence
• Learn teamwork and communication skills
• Develop resilience and a positive attitude
• Reflect on values they can apply in everyday life

This programme provides a fun, welcoming and supportive introduction to football.

First Kicks & Fun Football (Girls-Only Options)

In 2026, Nomads United AFC is proud to introduce girls-only First Kicks and Fun Football competitions for our youngest players.

• First Kicks (4–7 years)
• Fun Football (8–9 years)

These competitions follow the same structure as the traditional mixed programmes but provide an opportunity for girls to play alongside and against other girls in a supportive environment.

Girls will still have the option to participate in mixed teams if that is their preference.

Junior & Youth Girls Football

As players grow, we offer girls-only teams across our junior and youth age groups, providing fun, safe and supportive environments for female players to continue developing their skills and enjoyment of the game.

Teams are available in all dual-age banded grades including:

• 11th Grade
• 13th Grade
• 15th Grade
• 17th Grade

At these ages our focus is on:

• Skill development and game understanding
• Building confidence and resilience
• Enjoying competition in a positive environment
• Strengthening friendships and team culture

​​​​​​​The NW United Competitive Pathway

For players aspiring to compete at higher levels of the game, the NW United pathway provides the next stage of development.

This collaboration between Nomads United AFC and Waimakariri United brings together shared values, strong coaching programmes and a genuine passion for supporting the female game.

Players from both clubs will train together to field competitive teams under the NW United identity, featuring a dual club logo.

Home matches will alternate between the two clubs:

• Nomads United – Tulett Park
• Waimakariri United – Kendall Park / Rangiora Showgrounds

Together, both clubs are committed to delivering a bigger, better and more connected football experience for girls across North-West Christchurch.

Celebrating our players:

Nomads United AFC is proud of the players who have progressed through our pathway and gone on to achieve success within the game.

In addition, a number of female players continue to challenge themselves by progressing through our mixed development pathways, including our Pre-Academy and Academy programmes.

Dorothy Yek

Amber De Wit

Alyssa Sanders 

Be Part of the Journey

Growing the girls’ and women’s game takes more than just players on the field — it requires a strong community of passionate people who believe in the future of female football.

At Nomads United AFC, we are committed to continuing to grow opportunities for girls and women within our club and across our community. To achieve this, we welcome the support of people who are passionate about investing their time and energy into helping the female game thrive.

There are many ways to get involved, including:

• Coaching or assisting teams
• Managing teams
• Refereeing matches
• Sponsoring teams or programmes
• Volunteering and supporting club initiatives

Every contribution plays an important role in helping us create more opportunities and stronger pathways for girls and women in football.

If you are interested in supporting the growth of the girls’ and women’s game at Nomads United AFC, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with the club to learn how you can be part of the journey: admin@nomadsafc.org