Following a three-year period of analysis, Whole of Football 2.0 has been introduced to further evolve how the game is delivered. 

Among the changes are updated game formats and structures designed to foster a lifelong love of football and prioritise skill development from an early age. 

Research shows that playing smaller formats of the game for longer significantly increases involvement in the game and touches on the ball for players which accelerates skill development, and better prepares participants for the transition to 11 vs 11 football a year later at the U14 age group. 

New Zealand Football’s own research, based on piloting the framework, shows that by going through the new Whole of Football 2.0 player pathway, players on average will accumulate over 3,800 more touches of the ball with goalkeepers more involved in the game, accumulating over 1,300 more goalkeeper actions.