Marlborough Academy 2026

Marlborough Academy Trial Information

We are excited to announce the trials for the 2026 Marlborough Academy.

Trials have been scheduled for 20th & 21st April 2026 at A & P Park, Blenheim:, and are open to all players who would like to trial for the 2026 Marlborough Academy.

Times:

  • 12th Grade – 4:00pm – 5:00pm
  • 13th Grade – 5:00pm – 6:00pm
  • 14th Grade – 6:00pm – 7:00pm
  • 15th Grade – 7:00pm – 8:00pm

The trials will be conducted by Mainland Football staff, who will be in Blenheim on both days to oversee and assess all players attending.

Following the completion of trials, Mainland Football staff will review all information gathered. Teams will then be finalised, and coaches confirmed for each grade.  All players will receive a notification from Mainland Football - Marlborough after the trials.

We are planning to introduce 11th Grade Mixed and 13th Grade Girls Teams into the programme in Term 3, to support their participation in South Island Tournaments later in the year.  We will communicate this information later in the year to all Clubs.

Link to Register for the Trials - https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/505198


Marborough Academy Information

COST:  $330.00 (Includes Coaches Fees, Academy Shirt, Equipment, Administration, South Island Tournament Entry Fee)

Training Sessions (term times only):

12th Grade - 4.00pm-5.00pm

13th Grade - 5.00pm-6.00pm

14th Grade - 5.00pm-6.00pm

15th Grade - 6.00pm-7.00pm

Size per Squad:

12th Grade - 9 v 9 - 15

13th Grade - 9 v 9 - 15

14th Grade - 11 v 11 - 18

15th Grade - 11 v 11 - 18

Teams will be responsible for organising their own fundraising to contribute towards trip expenses, with any remaining shortfall to be covered by families.

A Team Manager will be appointed to support the team at tournaments and act as the main contact for parents throughout the season, leaving Coaches to focus on coaching and team development.

The Academy will run through the season, with trials in April and the first training starting beginning May, through to mid October, and includes entry in to the South Island Tournaments in September / October school holidays (All Grades 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th) as a Marlborough Academy Team.  Academy Game Days will be held, but a schedule for these is yet to be confirmed

Please note - For our Marlborough Academy Teams there are no dispensations, we put together our strongest teams in each age group to compete at the South Island tournaments. You play in your own year of birth for football, regardless of what grade you play in here locally at club level.  

We will be running the Tasman Regional Tournament which is for all club players to experience and enjoy a tournament. These will run over the similar times as the South Island Tournaments and are for players that are not in a Marlborough Academy Team.


Important Information

It is really important that all players wanting to trial, are committed to one training during the week, Game Days (as arranged), and the South Island Tournament in September/October.

During the trial process, we ask that all players and parents show respect towards the Mainland Football selectors at all times. The selectors are there to observe, assess, and make decisions in the best interests of the teams and the programme as a whole.

To allow them to carry out this role effectively and without any distractions, we request that players and spectators avoid approaching or engaging selectors while sessions are underway. This includes refraining from providing feedback, questioning decisions, or attempting to influence the process in any way.

Creating a positive and respectful environment ensures that all players are given a fair opportunity to perform at their best, and that selectors can make clear, unbiased decisions. Your cooperation and understanding in supporting this process is greatly appreciated.

Trials are a selection process aimed at identifying and bringing together the strongest players within each age group. While performance during games is an important component, it is not the sole factor considered.

Selectors assess players across the entire trial environment, including their attitude, effort, and behaviour during warm-ups, between activities, and off the field. Qualities such as teamwork, communication, coachability, and respect for others all form an important part of the overall evaluation.

It is also important that, due to limited places, not all players will be selected. This does not diminish a player’s ability or potential, but reflects the competitive nature of the process.

We encourage all players to approach trials with a positive attitude, give their best effort in all aspects, and represent themselves and their clubs with pride throughout the entire experience.

Link to Register for the Trials - https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/505198

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If you have any questions regarding Marlborough Academy, please contact Deb Foord at deb@mff.nz​​​​​​​