Short & sweet
Most sessions are 30 minutes—just right for little attention spans and busy family weekends.
Football for ages 1–7
Big fun for
↓
Big fun for
little footballers.
A friendly first step into football, where every child can join in at their own pace—and parents are welcome on the pitch.
✓ Under 2s free✓ No experience needed✓ Short, age-appropriate sessions
Since 2003Locally founded by Wellington footballer and coach Tony Morrison
300–400Children playing across our venues each term
ThousandsOf children welcomed into football over more than 20 years
Football fun since 2003They do not have to be ready.
They do not have to be ready.
They just have to be there.
Little Dribblers is for new players aged 1–7 and is the best place for your baby footballer to start—a welcoming, relaxed and fun place to play, explore and grow.
It is not just about learning to play. Little Dribblers introduces children to the whole world of football and gives them the freedom to discover what they love about it.
Some children chase every ball. Some hold Mum or Dad’s hand. Some stand in goal and watch. It all counts. We encourage participation, but never force it.
Read our philosophy →
Our story
From 40 little players
From 40 little players
to a growing community.
Little Dribblers was founded in Lower Hutt in 2003 by Tony Morrison, a local senior footballer and coach from Wellington. While coaching the Lower Hutt Football Club men’s third team, Tony was asked to run the club’s nursery grade for around 40 young children.
When winter ended, the nursery programme was due to pause until the following season—just as the weather became perfect for football. Tony carried on with a ten-week season before Christmas and another after Christmas. Numbers doubled, and the Little Dribblers formula took shape: shorter seasons, better weather, age-appropriate games and proper team kits.
By the next winter the programme had grown too large for the club, so Tony continued running it under the new Little Dribblers Football Club brand. Today, 300–400 children play each term across our community venues, and thousands have taken their first steps into football with us.
Our philosophy
Football is more than playing the game.
Little Dribblers is a place where children discover what football means to them.
For one child, football might be scoring goals. For another, it might be standing in goal, wearing their team colours, making up a game with a friend, helping with the equipment or coming back each week for the lollipop at the end.
All of these things are football.
Football needs players, but it also needs coaches, referees, managers, supporters, volunteers, photographers, analysts, groundskeepers, sponsors, parents and all the people who make the game possible.
Our job is not to decide which part of football a child should love. Our job is to create an environment where they can explore it and discover that for themselves.
That is why Little Dribblers looks and feels like real football—with marked pitches, goals and nets, team uniforms, boots, shin pads, referees, supporters and the special little routines that make football something children want to be part of.
Every child finds their own way into the game. One may run straight onto the pitch, another may need a parent beside them, and another may prefer to watch at first. Their confidence and interest can develop at their own pace.
We do not measure success by goals, skills or wins.Do they want to come back next week?If they do, we have succeeded.
Football needs everyone.
Grow the game locally
Ask about a licence
Bring Little Dribblers to your community
We license the Little Dribblers programme to football fanatics who want to build their own local football community and share their love of the game.
Parents welcome
Come onto the field while they settle in, then step back whenever they are ready.
Real little games
Referees keep things moving and fun. No coaching, training or experience needed.
Find their teamFour stages.
Four stages.
One happy pathway.
Children play with others close to their age and size, so everyone gets a fair go and grows in confidence.
Very Little
A playful first feel for the ball—with a parent right beside them.
Little
Simple games, lots of touches and plenty of encouragement.
Middle
More independent play as confidence and friendships begin to grow.
Big
Fun small-sided football and the perfect bridge into junior leagues.
Most Little Dribblers sessions last 30 minutes. Te Kauwhata’s extended 6–8-year-old session lasts 60 minutes.
See more Little Dribblers photos and weekly updates on Facebook →
Come and give it a goTwo easy ways
Two easy ways
to start for FREE.
No pressure and no football experience needed. Come along, meet the team and let your little footballer join in when they are ready.
Play close to homeFind your local
Find your local
Little Dribblers.
Weekly sessions at family-friendly community venues. Choose the location that works for your family.
Te Kauwhata
Te Kauwhata Rugby Club
3:30–4:00pm · Ages 3–54:00–5:00pm · Ages 6–8
This venue includes a special extended group for eight-year-olds.See times & register →
Miramar
Miramar School
9:30am · Under 2s & 2/3 Grade10:00am · 4/5 Grade & 6/7 GradeSee times & register →
Berhampore
Berhampore School
9:30am · Under 2s & 2/3 Grade10:00am · 4/5 Grade & 6/7 GradeSee times & register →
Te Puni
Te Puni School
9:30am · Under 2s & 2/3 Grade10:00am · 4/5 Grade & 6/7 GradeSee times & register →
Petone
McEwan Park, Marine Parade
9:30am–11:30am · All age groupsRegister here →Upper Hutt
Trentham School, Fergusson Drive
9:30am–11:30am · All age groupsRegister here →Mana
Paremata School
9:30am–11:30am · All age groupsRegister here →Johnsonville
Johnsonville School, Ironside Road
9:30am–11:30am · All age groupsRegister here →Pokeno
Pokeno School
9:30am–11:30am · All age groupsRegister here →Want us nearby?
Tell us where Little Dribblers should open next.
We are growing around New ZealandSuggest a venue →Simple, upfront pricingEverything they need
Everything they need
to get on the pitch.
Register for the term, collect the team kit at your first session, and you are ready. Boots, shin pads and balls are also available at venues.
Dress up like a real footballer!
Register and choose your team →Every player chooses a team during registration. Pick a kit from Argentina, Brazil, England, Holland, Italy or Spain.
10-week term
from$85
- Weekly football sessions
- Friendly referees
- Supportive environment
- No training required
Full team kitfrom $65Shirt · shorts · socks
⚽
Boot ClubOne pair now.
Growing feet covered.
Start with Little Dribblers boots, then swap into bigger sizes as your child grows.
$100Choose 4 new pairs, or 1 new + 5 used pairsYour first dayTurn up.
Turn up.
Find your field.
Have some fun.
There is no need to worry if your child has not been allocated a team yet—we will make sure every registered player has a game when you arrive.
1
Choose your team, then check your start time. Every player must choose a team during registration. Before your first day, look for your venue, grade, player name and team back on the registration page. View teams and grades → We usually confirm start times by weekly email on Thursday or Friday.
2
Get ready at home. Dress them in their team kit if you have it, choose comfortable shoes and pack a drink and snack. Shin pads are highly recommended.
3
Arrive 10–20 minutes early. Allow ten minutes to find your team, or twenty if you need to collect kit, look at boots or sort out fees.
4
Look for the green vehicle. Football gear and any information you may need is available here.
5
Let the referee get things moving. Most sessions last 30 minutes; Te Kauwhata’s 6–8 group lasts 60 minutes. Join your Little Dribbler on the pitch if they need you, celebrate every small win and have fun.
☁
Read the full first-day information →
Not sure about the weather?
We make cancellation decisions by 9am and post updates on our Facebook page and by email.
Let us get your little
footballer on the field.
Not sure yet? Come along to a free Have-a-Go Day at the end of term.