Removing Barriers, One Football at a Time

For thousands of young people across Aotearoa, the barrier to playing football isn’t motivation or talent – it’s access.

A football might seem like a small thing. But without one, training sessions don’t happen. Informal kick-abouts disappear. Community sessions struggle to run. And for some whānau, even the most basic entry point into the game can feel out of reach.

The New Zealand Football Foundation’s Ball Distribution initiative exists to remove that barrier.

A national commitment to access

To date over 10,600 footballs have been distributed to schools, clubs, federations and community organisations across the country, supporting grassroots football delivery in communities where cost and access remain significant barriers to participation.

These footballs are placed where they are needed most – enabling free and low-cost programmes, supporting informal play, and ensuring young players have the basic equipment they need to play, train and belong.

This effort is not about one-off donations. It’s about creating the conditions for football to happen consistently, inclusively, and locally.

Recent delivery: Northern Region Football

A recent phase of the initiative saw footballs distributed through Northern Region Football, supporting free, community-led football clinics delivered in partnership with local clubs and Auckland FC.

These clinics removed cost as a barrier entirely. Young players were able to take part at no cost, receive kits to take home, and keep NZFF footballs they could continue using in their own communities long after the session ended.

For many participants, this wasn’t just a single afternoon of football – it was an entry point into the game.

Why ball distribution matters

At its core, the Ball Distribution initiative is about eliminating exclusion.

By providing the basics needed to play, the Foundation works alongside federations, clubs and community partners to:

• Remove financial barriers to participation
• Support welcoming, inclusive environments
• Enable informal and formal football activity to thrive
• Strengthen grassroots football delivery across New Zealand

Each football distributed represents time on the pitch, confidence built, friendships formed, and positive experiences that help young people stay involved in the game.