Nelson Bays Football

Become a Referee - Mainland Football is hosting a Level 1 Referee Course in Nelson!

Whether you’re a player, coach, parent, supporter or simply passionate about football, becoming a referee is a great way to stay involved in the game and make a difference.

All participants are required to complete the theory module prior to the practical session on Wednesday 9th September.

To register, please click below:
https://nzflearn.co.nz/?p=84507

📅 When: Wednesday 9 September 2026
📍 Where: Sport Tasman Boardroom
⏰ Time: 6.00pm–8.00pm
👤 Facilitator: Iain MacFadyen

Why Become a Referee?

CONNECTED
Be part of a supportive referee community.

GIVE BACK
Help future players enjoy the game you love.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Everyone benefits from having a trained referee in the middle.

EASY TO GET STARTED
Community and Level 1 Referee courses are free, with mentoring and coaching from experienced referees.

CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT
Access regular coaching, training and ongoing development support — take your refereeing as far as you want to go.

Get involved. Give back. Become a referee.

JUNIOR LEVEL 3 COACHING AWARD 2026

The New Zealand Football (NZF) Junior Level 3 (JL3) Coaching Award is the highest qualification available on the Junior coaching pathway in New Zealand. It is designed for ambitious coaches working with players aged 9 to 12. The entire course takes a minimum of 3 months to complete and combines face-to-face learning with practical application. The qualification consists of three integrated learning parts:

• 3-Day In-Person Course: A multi-day workshop featuring a blend of classroom theory, interactive group work, and practical on-field sessions.
• Online Modules: E-learning modules completed remotely at your own pace via the NZF Learn platform.
• Final Post-Course Assessment: You must complete a practical evaluation in your own coaching environment, which includes submitting a session video and a self-reflection planner to a marked assessor.

NZF Junior Level 3 – Mainland – November 2026
When: Friday 6th – Sunday 8th November
Where: English Park
Click below to register
https://nzflearn.co.nz/blog/events/nzf-junior-level-3-mainland-november-2026/

The Mussel Inn Masters Masters hosted by Golden Bay Football Club is back! Get your magical masters team together for an epic weekend that also includes football in Golden Bay.

This is a special event that brings together all of the best of masters football plus a great weekend away.

Mens Over 40 (one aged 35+) - 11 a-side.
Women's Over 30 (two aged 25+) - 7 a-side.
$30 per player - payment details to come
Teams from Wellington and Nelson already registered

Register your interest here - https://form.jotform.com/261598350023051

Craft b**rs on tap
Food trucks to keep you fuelled
Tunes rolling all weekend

Rec Park, Golden Bay
October 24th & 25th

Whether you're here to win it… or just survive it — this weekend is all about good footy, great people, great prizes and even better stories after.

🏆CUP FINALS DAY🏆

Today, Saxton Fields will be the home of local Senior football as Nelson Suburbs Football Club host Mainland Football Nelson's Cup Finals Day!

📍 Saxton Fields
📅 Saturday 29th August
⏰ 1:00pm onwards

The café will be open throughout the day, so grab a drink, get something to eat and settle in for a fantastic afternoon of football with family, friends and the local football community!

🏆 Come along, support our local teams and enjoy Finals Day!🏆

Paul Evans (Evo) passes away peacefully

For those of you who knew, played against, played alongside, kicked a ball at (he was a goalie after all)… or just enjoyed having a b**r with Evo from FC Nelson Masters and earlier, from Nelson Metro, it is with great sadness to report that he passed away peacefully overnight at the Nelson Hospice after a battle with cancer. Our thoughts are with Evo's family and friends at this time.

It’s a big loss to the Nelson Football Region and may he rest in peace. He always gave great banter while in goal or in the clubhouse afterwards and always made you welcome win or lose. He’ll be remembered as one of the good buggers. There will be a ‘life celebration’ for Evo at the Victory Square FC Clubrooms this Saturday from 1pm.

Nelson Pine Senior Men and Masters Cup results 22 August.

Get on down to Saxton Field this Saturday for the end of season Cup Finals day⚽️🥳

Anyone keen on an 'football away day' in Christchurch? It will be the 1st game of football in the new stadium. Don't miss it.

⚽🏆The Beautiful Game comes to One New Zealand Stadium.
Saturday 5 September — Kate Sheppard Cup Final, 1pm. Chatham Cup Final, 4pm.

The first football ever played at Christchurch's new stadium, and the first national cup finals held here since 2013. Two national finals in one afternoon, with Canterbury sides taking on Auckland's best in both.

Whatever badge is on your shirt, this is a day for Canterbury football. Get your club together, bring the family, wear your colours.

👍 Entry is free. Let's fill the house for the biggest day this game has had here in over a decade.

Mainland Football would like to congratulate the following players from Nelson and Marlborough who have been selected to represent our region in the Under 17 Boys Youth Southern League competition, commencing in September.

The Boys Youth Southern League provides an exciting opportunity for these young players to test themselves against quality opposition, gain valuable experience at a higher level, and further develop their skills and confidence.

Congratulations to all players selected — we look forward to following the teams progress throughout the BYSL competition.

📢 REFEREES REQUIRED – OCTOBER TOURNAMENTS

Mainland Football Nelson is seeking enthusiastic match referees and assistant referees (ARs) to help officiate at our upcoming 11th Grade Jack McKnight South Island Tournament and Tasman Regional Tournaments this October.

This is a fantastic opportunity—especially for new referees—to gain valuable experience and further develop their officiating skills at Junior and Youth levels.

To be eligible, all referees must have completed the Community Referee Course.

📅 Tournament Dates:

11th Grade Jack McKnight – 2nd-4th Oct 2026
Tasman Regional Tournament (10th/11th Grade) – 6th/7th Oct 2026
Tasman Regional Tournament (16th/17th Grade) – 6th/7th Oct 2026

📍 Venue:

All matches will be held at Saxton Field.

If you're interested, please email [email protected] for further information.

We'd love to have you join the team and help make these tournaments a great success!